History repeats itself with a washout
Scotland’s desert rain jinx struck again yesterday as Cyclone Shaheen arrived in Oman 24 hours early, writes WILLIAM DICK.
The Scots were bidding to end a successful week of World Cup League 2 action with victory over the hosts to complete a clean sweep of four victories.
However, having reached 100-3 after electing to bat, high winds swept rain across the ground at Al Amerat and forced the players from the field.
It heralded the start of a tropical storm which has caused the Oman government to call a twoday holiday today and tomorrow.
Scotland had found themselves in early trouble with their first three batsmen back in the pavilion and just 24 runs on the board.
But George Munsey led a thrilling counter-attack to reach 58no from 55 deliveries, with three boundaries and three maximums, while Richie Berrington offered support with 15no before play was stopped after just 23.2 overs.
Scotland coach Shane Burger said: “It’s disappointing that we couldn’t get out and play again, but, all in all, I’m pleased with the trip.
“To get seven out of eight points in foreign conditions, particularly against a team like Oman who are probably going to push us all the way to the end of the CWCL2 and to get a victory against them, then have a game set up in a reasonable position when the rain did come, we’ll take a lot of heart from that.
“It was good to see George Munsey get in form with the bat. I thought he played excellently under pressure, coming in when we were 20/3 and it was good to see him form that partnership with Richie Berrington.
“I have to be happy with what we’ve come here and done.”
With the sides awarded a point apiece, the Scots remain in second place in the seven-team league, still 11 points behind Oman. But with six games in hand.
Yesterday’s cancellation follows a similar weather episode during Scotland’s previous WCL2 series in December 2019, when a freak rain storm in Sharjah caused their clash with the UAE to be abandoned.