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LA MANGA CLUB, Spain – Scotland edged out Ireland in a nail-biting finish to the clash between the two highest-ranked sides in the tournament, and moved into pole position to finish top of the group led by an unbeaten 46 from Scottish captain Kathryn Bryce.
Under bright blue skies, Ireland won the toss and elected to bat first hoping to continue their batting form from yesterday’s 164-run win against Germany.

Playing on a more difficult pitch to score quickly on, the Irish openers Gaby Lewis (8) and Rebecca Stokell (21) dug in, finishing the first powerplay on 20-0. Lewis fell shortly after the momentum swung to the Scottish bowlers through the middle overs, with regular wickets falling.

Katherine Fraser (3-14), Kathleen McGill (2-18) and Abtaha Maqsood (1-14) bowled tight and disciplined lines, starving the Irish batters of much-needed boundary-hitting strokes, and the Irish side finished on 89-9 from their 20 overs.

Ireland needed early wickets to stay in the game and they came courtesy of Ava Canning (2-5 from 4 overs), supported by tight bowling by Orla Prendergast (0-6 from 2 overs). Eimear Richardson (2-24), playing her 50th match for Ireland, then took two wickets in her first over, leaving Scotland at 23-4 at the halfway stage of the innings.

In the 13th over the pendulum began to swing towards the Wildcats with an aggressive display of striking from Player of the Match Kathryn Bryce, who is ranked as one of the world’s best all-rounders. Her knock of 46 off 58 balls, ably supported by Becky Glen (22 off 19 balls) put the pressure back on the Irish bowlers. Ireland was not able to stop the run flow and Scotland completed a tense five-wicket victory with an over to spare.

This result leaves Ireland 2nd in the Qualifier table, with two games to play against France and the Netherlands. All teams have a rest day tomorrow, and Ireland is back in action on Sunday at 9.30am (Irish time).

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland Women v Scotland Women, ICC T20 World Cup European Qualifier, La Manga, 27 August 2021

Ireland 89-9 (20 overs; R Stokell 21: K Fraser 3-14, K McGill 2-18, A Maqsood 1-14)
Scotland 92-5 (20 overs; K Bryce 46*, R Glen 22*; E Richardson, 2-24, A Canning, 2-5)

Scotland Women won by 5 wickets

See full scorecard

Stuart Harrison
Scotland moved top of the table after today’s win
No
Connaught