Brilliant Berrington inspires Scotland again

Sometimes the old ways are the best and Richie Berrington pointed to some traditional tactics to once again inspire Scotland to a landmark win.

Berrington fired Scotland to an historic first victory over an ICC full member nine years ago, with a sensational century in a 34-run T20I win against Bangladesh.

And he might just have inspired them to another magic milestone in Muscat, with a skilful 70 to help set up a 17-run win against Papua New Guinea.

The win moves Scotland to the brink of the Super 12 stage at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and by the time they face Oman on Thursday, they may already be through.

If Scotland do join India, Australia, England and the rest in the Super 12s, Berrington will be a prized scalp.

In a format of the game that is all about invention and creativity, Berrington stuck to his roots. He hit it straight, he hit it hard and he hit it long, as PNG’s bowlers had no answer.

“I leave the funky shots to some of the other boys,” he said.

“It is good we have players that can hit it 360 degrees and keep the bowlers on their toes too but that’s not my game.”

Funk might not be Berrington’s style but the ball certainly sounded sweet each time it disappeared off the bat, as he helped Scotland overcome a tricky start.

After an unexpected six-run victory against Bangladesh on Sunday, this was a banana skin encounter in Group B against a solid PNG side who knew they had to win after losing to Oman in their opener.

Scotland won the toss and elected to bat but captain Kyle Coetzer only lasted six balls as he was clean bowled by Kabua Morea and George Munsey soon followed him back to the pavilion after a brisk ten.

Berrington joined wicket-keeper Matthew Cross at the crease and the pair took time to settle on a slow pitch against PNG bowlers with their tails up.

But you could sense Berrington’s confidence rise when he sweetly timed a pull behind square to the boundary. And if that was a warning, his next boundary was a clear statement of intent as the right-hander shuffled down the pitch and clubbed Siaka high over long on for a huge six. It measured in at 97 metres and took several minutes to retrieve.

Cross was out for 45 in the 15th over, forcing Berrington to slow down a bit, but he again picked up the pace with some brilliant ball-striking. A slash through third man brought up his 50, another mighty hit off Morea raced to the fence and then came the highlight of the innings – as he cleared his front leg and heaved a good length ball 87 metres back over Soper’s head.

He eventually fell in the 19th over after six fours and three sixes, steering Scotland to 165/9, before coming back to take a fabulous catch in the field at backward point as PNG’s innings faltered early.

“I think it took a little bit of time to get in on that wicket, I thought the PNG boys bowled well and out us under some pressure early,” he added.

“It was important we [Cross and Berrington] got a partnership going again and thankfully we got just over par on that wicket.

“I think we didn’t have a target in mind, it was just a case of getting used to the wicket and then hopefully towards the back end look for a few more boundaries.

“Thankfully we managed get that big one in the end.”