Cross is the star as Scots kickstart bid
Matthew Cross hit a sixth
ODI half-century as Scotland kickstarted their World Cup League 2 campaign with a comfortable six-wicket victory
over Papua New Guinea in Al Amerat yesterday.
After bowling out their rivals for 197, Cross and skipper Kyle Coetzer gave the Scots the solid platform they wanted with a stand of 78.
Coetzer was first to go for 23 from 41 deliveries including three boundaries before Cross and Calum Macleod joained forces to take their team closer to the target.
Cross, converting his rich vein of domestic form to the international stage, reached his 50 from just 46 balls and had gone on to 70 with six boundaries and a maximum before being tempted out of his crease by Assad Vala to be stumped by Kiplin Doriga.
Macleod’s hopes of steering Scotland home were dashed when he departed for a patient 45 but George Munsey (27no) completed the job in style with his second six as the Scots won with seven overs to spare.
Man-of-the-match Cross, who took four catches as well as hitting 70 runs, said: “It was important to get time in the middle as we’ve only been out here for two days and are still adjusting to the heat.
“I’m always happy to get some runs but it was disappointing that neither Calum Macleod or myself could be there at the end to see the job through. But the guys got the job done.
“I thought the bowlers did a great job early on to set the game upforus.”
Earlier the Scottish bowlers looked set to run through their rivals’ batting line-up only to be frustrated by a dogged 9th-wicket stand.
Left-arm spinners Hamza Tahir and Mark Watt applied the pressure with the former claiming 3-36 while Watt conceded just 26 runs from his 10 overs as PNG were reduced to 125-8.
However, Chad Soper and Damien Ravu kept the bowlers at bay for almost 14 overs, adding 66 runs.
Ravu eventually became Gavin Main’s third victim, departing for 32 with three boundaries and the only six of the innings, while Soper
was unbeaten on 46 when Safyaan Sharif claimed the final wicket.
Scotland continue their bid to qualify for next year’s World Cup when they face League 2 leaders Oman on Tuesday.