Greaves and Sharif guide Scots back from dead

SCOTLAND last night came back from the dead to boost their World Cup qualification bid with a thrilling win over Namibia at Titwood, Glasgow.

After restricting their rivals to 215-7, the Scots looked to be out of it after slumping to 136-7, despite a battling half-century from Calum MacLeod.

But Chris Greaves and Safyaan Sharif produced a Scottish record eighth wicket stand in ODIs of 83 to carry their side to a three-wicket success with seven balls to spare.

Skipper Richie Berrington said: “What a game of cricket! Things got a lot tighter than we would have wanted but we knew if we could take it deep then the skills that Safy and Greavo have would get us close.

“The skill and fight they showed is testament to how they play their cricket and it was an exceptional partnership taking it all the way to the end and getting us the win.”

Namibia had seized control after the first drinks interval with Matthew Cross and Berrington falling in quick succession as the runs dried up. MacLeod and George Munsey dug in, taking 10 overs to add 31 before MacLeod holed out off Rueben Trumpelmann for a 93-ball 59. And Trumpelmann appeared to have dashed Scottish hopes by then removing Munsey and Michael Leask in the same over.

Greaves and Sharif had other ideas as they embarked on a superb salvage act. Grange star Greaves led the way with his maiden ODI half century, finishing unbeaten on 53 from 48 deliveries with five boundaries and two maximums. Sharif, who made 40no, also cleared the ropes once and hit the winning runs with a crunching drive for his fourth boundary.

Earlier, Namibia made a bright start, only to be pegged back as Scotland struck three times in quick succession. The impressive Gavin Main made the breakthrough when he had Divan la Cock caught on the boundary by Greaves before Mark Watt struck with his first ball of the match to remove Lo-handre Lowrens.

Main grabbed his second, thanks to MacLeod’s diving catch at slip that ended Craig Williams’ short stay in the middle.

Namibian skipper Gerhard Erasmus steadied his side with 56 as they recovered from 39-3 to reach 78 but the Scottish bowlers continued to take wickets at regular intervals with Main and Tahir each claiming 3-38. A late rally by Jan Frylinck with a 48ball 60no took their tally to 215-7.

Scotland conclude the series when they face Nepal on Sunday.