ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2018: Super Sixes Match 7, West Indies vs Scotland: Match Review

Scotland, in a must-win situation, faced table-toppers West Indies in a crucial Super Sixes match at Harare Sports Club at Harare. After winning the toss on a bowler-friendly pitch, captain Kyle Coetzer had no hesitation in opting to bowl first.

The Windies were off to a terrible start as they lost Chris Gayle and Shai Hope on ducks, with only two runs on the board. However, it was Evin Lewis and Marlon Samuels who carried on from where they left against Zimbabwe the other day.

Samuels and Evin stitched a priceless 121 run partnership in almost 28 overs, to steady the ship for their side. Lewis played in his usual counter-attacking manner and scored 66 off 87 deliveries, where he smashed seven boundaries and a couple of sixes.

Marlon Samuels anchored the innings with his vigilant 55 off 98 deliveries, which consisted of only four boundaries. That said, it all went downhill for the Caribbean after the dismissal of Lewis.

From 123-2, West Indies lost their last eight wickets, adding just 75 in the next 18 overs. For the Scots, it was Safyaan Sharif and Bradley Wheal who orchestrated the collapse of the men in maroon. The two clinched three wickets each at the minimal economy rate.

Even Leask chipped in with a vital couple of wickets with conceding much. Only Carlos Brathwaite offered some sort of resistance for his 26-ball 24, with wickets falling at other end.

While chasing a par score on a difficult pitch, Scotland went off to a similar start as their opponents. The Scots lost three wickets with only 25 on the board.

As a result, Calum Macleod and Richie Berrington had to play watchful cricket and ended up consuming far too many deliveries for their scores.

In fact, the Scots could not even get to the 100-run mark in almost 30 overs. The overcast conditions made run-scoring difficult. Kemar Roach was almost unplayable in the opening spell as he clinched a couple of wickets.

It was Ashley Nurse who made further inroads in the Scottish batting line up with his couple of wickets. George Munsey and Michael Leask tried to provide some impetus into the innings with the DLS situation looming over.

However, the Scots were five runs short of the par score, before heavy rains stopped play. The match later was called off and West Indies extended their lead in the Super Sixes with another couple of points. Safyaan Sharif was awarded as the player of the match.

With this win, West Indies book a berth in the World Cup of 2019 in England.

Brief Scores

West Indies  198-10 (48.4)

Evin Lewis 66 (87), Marlon Samuels 51 (98), Safyaan Sharif 3/27, Bradley Wheal 3/34

Scotland 125-5 (35.2)

Richie Berrington 33 (68), George Munsey 32 (52), Kemar Roach 2/20, Ashley Nurse 2/35

West Indies won by 5 runs (DLS method – due to rain)

Points Table

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