Unpredictable Scotland favourites in decisive game against Thailand

Overview

Thailand Women v Scotland Women
Kampong Cricket Club, Utrecht, Netherlands
Match 9, WT20Q 2018
Tue, 10 July, 10.00 GMT, 12.00 local

Scotland have been involved in two low-scoring games against Uganda and Ireland, tasting victory and defeat.

Thailand, meanwhile, have lost both their games to Ireland and Uganda, needing a spectacular performance and results to go their way to progress to the semi-finals.

Despite Nattaya Boochatman’s 41 off 50 balls against Ireland, Thailand only posted a target of 93 off their 20 overs, which the table-toppers chased with seven wickets in hand.

They struggled once more against Uganda, batting the full 20 but only making 67 runs. Suleeporn Laomi gave her side hope with figures of 3/17, but Uganda knocked them off for a four-wicket victory.

Scotland also experienced a low-scoring affair with the African side, bowling them out for 43 in part thanks to figures of 3/3 from opener Rachel Scholes. An explosive, unbeaten 36 from Sarah Bryce put the game to bed within seven overs.

The wicket-keeper batter then struck an unbeaten 49 against Ireland but the current table-toppers restricted Scotland to 98, which they chased down comfortably.

Scotland are the favourites, fuelled by Bryce’s form at the top of the order and their lengthy bowling line-up, but Thailand have a big performance in them – they got to this stage by winning the Asia qualifier against Sri Lanka.

They’ve unluckily lost the toss both games, in a group where every side has elected to field first and succeeded in the run chase.

If Scotland win then they will qualify now matter what happens between Ireland and Uganda due to them having a better net run rate than Ireland.

Thailand must win to give themselves any chance of going through but they’re relying on an Ireland victory and also a hefty swing on net run-rate.

Key players

Sornnarin Tippoch (Thailand): The 32-year-old skipper is experienced and doesn’t shy away from responsibility. She’s played two gritty innings for 9 and 12 in the top order, but more so represents a threat with the ball, showing her capabilities with a three-wicket haul against Ireland.

Sarah Bryce (Scotland): The wicket-keeper batter has amassed an unbeaten 85 in her two innings so far, as well as claiming two victims behind the stumps in the opening game against Uganda. She’ll be hoping to end the group stage with a three-figure average.

Squads

Thailand **:**Somnarin Tippoch (c), Nattaya Boochatham, Naruemol Chaiwai, Natthakan Chantham, Onnicha Khamchomphu, Rosenanee Kanoh, Nannapat Koncharonkai, Suleeporn Laomi, Wongpaka Liengprasert, Rattanaporn Padunglerd, Srinitra Saengsakaorat, Sainamin Saenya, Chanida Sutthiruang, Arriya Yenyueak

Scotland:  Kathryn Bryce (c), Abbi Aitken, Sarah Bryce, Priyanaz Chatterji, Becky Glen, Laura Grant, Lorna Jack, Abtaha Maqsood, Katie McGill, Jess Mills, Hannah Rainey, Rachel Scholes, Ellen Watson, Ruth Willis