Century-man Calum sets Scots on way to chase win
Classy Calum MacLeod stroked the ninth ODI century of his career yesterday as Scotland produced a thrilling run-chase to beat USA at Mannofield, Aberdeen.
MacLeod’s scintillating 117 answered Aaron Jones’ 123no for the visitors and put his side on course for the points in their latest World Cup League 2 encounter.
Although MacLeod holed out with 30 runs still needed, Chis Greaves and Michael Leask sealed a five-wicket win with 14 balls to spare.
Needing a substantial 296 for victory, Scotland were given a solid start by Kyle Coetzer and Craig Wallace who put on 72 for the first wicket.
Forfarshire’s Wallace led the way, outscoring the former captain with six boundaries in a run-a-ball 45.
However, with a half-century in sight, he under-edged a catch to the keeper before Coetzer skied an easy catch to depart for 28 as two wickets fell in quick succession.
MacLeod and Michael Jones partially repaired the damage with a stand of 56 before Jones, having just stroked a magnificent maximum over long-off, tried again and was caught in the deep for 18.
Matthew Cross hung around with MacLeod as the Scots kept the scoreboard ticking over and, although the skipper never looked in prime form he was able to add a valuable 40.
MacLeod, though, looked to be Scotland’s best chance of pulling off the highest ODI run-chase ever at Mannofield and he moved smoothly to three figures with his third maximum.
He went on to hit two more sixes and faced 91 deliveries for his match-winning 119.
Earlier Aaron Jones hammered a superb century as Scotland’s decision to bowl first backfired in spectacular fashion.
The omission of leading strike bowler Chris Sole, whose devastating new-ball spell set up midweek victory over UAE, was a major surprise.
In his absence, openers Steven Taylor and Sushant Modani had few problems seeing off the home pacemen, the pair compiling an 80-run stand in 16 overs.
It took the introduction of Mark Watt to make the breakthrough, with the left-arm spinner trapping Taylor in front.
Modani went on to make 52 before falling to Adrian Neill and the Scots continued to take middle order wickets thanks to some good catching, MacLeod taking a blinder to dismiss Ian Holland.
At 200-5 with 10 overs remaining, Scotland may have been hoping to restrict their rivals to 260 but instead Jones launched a blistering late assault to reach a maiden ODI ton.
He smashed consecutive maximums off Safyaan Sharif to move into the 90s and reached three figures with the first of three clearances in a row off Neill whose final over was taken for a punishing 26 runs.
Jones finished unbeaten on 123 from just 87 deliveries having plundered nine boundaries and six maximums as USA closed on 295-8.
Watt was the pick of the Scottish bowlers with 2-39 from his 10 overs but the pace bowlers were expensive, Neill conceding 57 in just six overs while Gavin Main’s two wickets came at a cost of 61 runs in nine overs.
The Scots continue their World Cup League 2 campaign against UAE at Mannofield today.