Scotland cruise past PNG to claim third place
Scotland will be bitterly disappointed to narrowly miss out on qualification for the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 in the Caribbean this November, but they have ended this qualifying event with a crushing victory over Papua New Guinea to claim third place as they run out winners by 10 wickets with three overs to spare.
Having won the toss and elected to field the Scottish bowlers were in the wickets straight away with Rachel Scholes dismissing Kopi John in the first over when the batter was trapped LBW.
That was just the beginning of the wicket taking as PNG slumped to 56/5 in the 13th over. Kathryn Bryce had Brenda Tau stumped by her sister Sarah for just 1 before Pauke Siaka and Tanya Ruma were dismissed by Hannah Rainey, both caught behind the wicket.
The only batter in the top five that reached double figures was Sibona Jimmy who made 25 from 35 balls as wickets fell around her.
It looked like PNG would be dismissed for a very small total but a partnership of 46 runs between Kaia Arua and Veru Frank took their team past three figures as they set Scotland 102 to win having reached 101/6 from their 20 overs. The bowler with the best figures with 2/22 from her four overs in a spell that included 13 dot balls.
The Scotland opening pair of Kathryn and Sarah Bryce made short work of the target as they put on an opening stand that took their team to victory. With a small target there was no massive rush for the openers and they took their time to make their way to the win.
Sarah Bryce made 41 from 47 balls and Kathryn Bryce made 51 from 57 balls as they finished off the match without the need for any help from any of their team mates. Mairi Tom was the best of the PNG bowlers, and while not claiming any wickets she was very frugal conceding just 17 runs from her four overs.