ANYONE taking a drink every time someone mentions ‘net run rate’ tomorrow could quickly find themselves under the table in a stupor.
Scotland have done everything asked of them so far in their attempt to qualify for the second phase of the T20 World Cup with two wins from their opening two games but will likely still need to defeat hosts Oman in the group’s denouement to guarantee their spot.
A defeat coupled with a Bangladesh win over bottom side Papua New Guinea would leave three teams tied on four points, meaning net run rate – cricket’s equivalent of goal difference – would come into the equation to settle which two progressed to the Super 12s.
Had Oman beaten Bangladesh last night Scotland could have gone into their final group game already home and hosed but good fortune rarely shines so fortuitously on this nation in the sporting arena.
Head coach Shane Burger said: “We have always set the goal of wanting to top the group and in order to do that we knew we had to win a minimum of two games.
“But from the outset we wanted to win all three to make sure we did it in the fashion that we’ve done so far.
“We would like to finish by beating Oman and topping the group properly. If Oman bring their best game – which we know they can and they’ll be highly motivated for obvious reasons – then we will need to do the same.
“We’re confident we can get the job done but also aware that we need to be better than we have been already. But we know that there is still more to come.”
Scotland did their part in the day’s first game by claiming their second victory of the tournament but the 17-run margin of victory was closer than it should have been.
Richie Berrington’s knock of 70 – the country’s first ever half-century at a T20 World Cup – was the biggest contribution in a score of 165/9, Scotland’s highest ever T20 World Cup score.
It really ought to have been higher still, however, on the back of a 92-run third-wicket partnership between Matthew Cross and Berrington.
Both openers Kyle Coetzer (6) and George Munsey (15) had fallen relatively cheaply leaving Scotland up against it at 26/2.
That brought Cross, making his 50th T20I appearance, and then Berrington to the crease and together they resurrected the Saltires’ fortunes.
Berrington, in particular, looked in the groove, smashing one maximum for 97 metres and then belting another into the car park.
With Cross also keeping the scoreboard ticking over, the race was on to see which of the pair would get to their 50 first.
The wicketkeeper, though, would fall five short, his frustration evident after being caught at deep mid-wicket looking for another big stroke.
Berrington kept up the tempo and reached his half-century with another classy boundary, with Scotland seemingly on course to make around 180 or 190.
Berrington’s departure, however, saw the wheels come off, with Scotland scoring just 15 runs in the last two overs, losing six wickets in the process.
Four of those fell in the final over, including three in successive deliveries as the tail failed to wag, giving PNG a lifeline.
That placed the onus on the Scottish bowlers to do their bit and they responded to the challenge to leave their opponents on the precipice at 35/5.
Berrington was involved again, taking a brilliant one-handed catch to dismiss Simon Atai for the fifth wicket, the dismissal celebrated with a blast of Franz Ferdinand’s Take Me Out by the stadium announcer.
It looked for all the world at that point that Scotland would coast through to victory but some late resistance from the PNG’s batters provided a few nervy moments, with Norman Vanua making a dazzling 47 from 37 balls before being carelessly caught behind.
Just like Bangladesh on Tuesday, PNG needed to make 24 from the final over. And although one big six got the heart racing, Scotland saw it through fairly comfortably, taking the final wicket after a review. Josh Davey’s 4-18 from his 3.3 overs were the best bowling figures for Scotland in a T20 World Cup game.
Another victory will again help to raise the profile of a sport often cruelly overlooked back home, as Coetzer confirmed.
“The following we have had since our win the other day has been incredible, a huge amount of thanks must go out to everyone who has sent messages.
“I know for a fact Chris Greaves had over 160 messages on his phone the other day, it was really nice to see and the following has been fantastic. Names pop out of the woodwork that you haven’t heard for a long time, but it’s still really nice to hear the support and all victories are really important and it would be nice to get one more.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel