Matthews’ heroics in vain as Scotland stun WI

LAHORE, Pakistan:

A magnificent all-round performance from captain Hayley Matthews could not prevent the West Indies from going down to Scotland by 11 runs in their ICC World Cup Qualifying match yesterday.

Matthews claimed four wickets in helping to dismiss Scotland for 244, then returned to hit an unbeaten 114 in the West Indies' reply of 233.

After being put into bat, Scotland's openers, Abbi Aitken-Drummond and Darcey Carter, laid a solid foundation with a 48-run stand before Matthews struck, removing Aitken-Drummond for 21, Carter for 25, and Kathryn Bryce for six in quick succession, to leave Scotland at 69 for three.

Wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce steadied the innings with a crucial 56, as she shared in an 82-run fifth wicket partnership with Megan McColl to give the Scotland innings some impetus.

But Matthews 4-56 and two sharp runouts from Chinelle Henry, including McColl for 45, restricted Scotland to 244 in the 45th over.

Aaliyah Alleyne and Karishma Ramharack each picked up two wickets.

BAD START

In reply, the regional side got off to a bad start, losing opener Quaina Joseph for duck with just seven runs on the board.

Matthews then spearheaded the chase, as the skipper was well supported by Zaida James.

The pair added 113 for the second wicket before James fell to Abel for 45 off 89 balls, which included five fours and a six.

Scotland then dug in and began to pick up wickets at regular intervals, just as the Windies were looking to build partnerships and chip away at the runs.

Matthews had to retire hurt on 95 with the game in the balance as Scotland's bowlers kept chipping away, with Katherine Fraser dismissing Cherry-Ann Fraser for a duck, leaving the Windies at 194 for seven in the 40th over.

Returning to the crease, Matthews brought up a magnificent century but ran out of partners, finishing unbeaten on 114 from 113 balls as Aaliyah Alleyne was the last wicket to fall, lbw to Abtaha Maqsood for 17, sealing Scotland's thrilling win.

In the day's other game, host Pakistan defeated Ireland by 38 runs.

Pakistan, led by half centuries from Aliya Riaz (52) and Sidra Amin (51), scored 217 all out off 49 overs. Jane Maguire (3-33), Arlene Kelly (2-34) and Cara Murray (2-49) led the Irish bowling.

The home team then restricted Ireland to 179 off 44 overs. Leading contributions came from skipper Gaby Lewis and wicketkeeper Amy Hunter, who both struck 44, and Orla Prendergast, who hit 37. Pakistan's leading bowlers were Diana Baig (4-35), Nashra Sandhu (3-41) and Sadia Iqbal (2-33).

Group action continues today, with the West Indies facing Ireland and Pakistan taking on Scotland.

CMC