Macleod ton boosts World Cup hopes

Calum Macleod hit a sensational century as Scotland took a step closer to next year’s World Cup qualifier with victory over Papua New Guinea. Former Durham star Macleod’s thrilling 154 at Amini Park, Port Moresby, was enough for the Scots to leapfrog PNG into second place in the World Cricket League.

Macleod, celebrating his fifth ODI ton, said: “I didn’t get a century during the summer in Scotland so it’s great to start the winter with one and help the team get the win.

“But it wasn’t easy out there – I thought Papua New Guinea bowled really well at us at the start and I used up a few dot balls getting myself in.

“Richie [Berrington] helped me through that period and it got a bit easier after spending time in the middle.

“We thought we had a good total and the bowlers then did a brilliant job getting wickets all the way through.

“We’re delighted with the win.”

The Scots reached 278-9 from their 50 overs before the bowlers ruthlessly homed in on an emphatic 101-run win.

Macleod now boasts the most centuries by a Scot in one-day internationals and two of the three highest individual scores.

Yesterday’s effort came behind his own 175 against Canada in 2014 and Kyle Coetzer’s 156 against Bangladesh the following year.

A further victory in tomorrow’s return match will move Coetzer’s team to within touching distance of the World Cup Qualifier to be staged in Zimbabwe in March. Macleod added: “We know Papua New Guinea will come back strongly so we’ll need to play at least as well as we did today.”