Red-hot Scots come out of cold storage
Run-machine Richie Berrington last night stroked a superb century as Scotland came out of cold storage to boost their World Cup qualification bid with a crushing 162-run victory over Papua New Guinea.
Berrington’s unbeaten 114 and a thunderous 79no from George Munsey carried Kyle Coetzer’s men to 284-3 before their rivals crumbled to 122 all out.
Man-of-the-match Berrington declared: “It’s great to get off to a winning start in what’s going to be a big year for Scottish Cricket.
“Batting was hard work early on and I think putting on 280 on that pitch was always going to be a tough ask for PNG.
“We were pleased with our total and our batting performance overall but I also thought the bowlers were excellent and put their batters under pressure.”
The Scots went into the clash in the searing heat of Dubai without any competitive action in six months, and it showed as they struggled to find their rhythm after being sent in to bat.
Berrington came to the crease after PNG struck a quickfire double to remove Matthew Cross (21) and Coetzer (13).
He took time to settle but, with support from Calum Macleod, advanced the total from 37-2 to 117 before Macleod departed for 32.
But that was as good as it got for PNG as Berrington and Munsey
launched a perfectly-timed assault to post a Scottish record 4th wicket stand of 167.
Berrington, who reached 50 from 77 balls, raised the tempo to post his second ODI ton from a further 43 deliveries.
He stayed unbeaten at the end, facing 127 balls and stroking 10 boundaries and two crisply struck maximums.
Munsey’s acceleration was even more remarkable as the left-hander
bludgeoned 28 from the final eight deliveries he faced, clubbing four huge sixes as he and his partner added 77 runs in the final five overs to deflate their rivals.
The Scots pressed home their advantage in the field, Hamza Tahir setting the tone with a brilliant onehanded catch off his own bowling.
Hamza picked-up a second on his way to 2-20 while Gavin Main claimed 4-26 as dominant Scotland consolidated their position in the top three of World Cricket League 2.
They are back in action today against leaders Oman.