Scotland beat West Indies by 11 runs in the second match of the Women's World Cup Qualifier on Wednesday (April 9), to throw the tournament wide open.
Scotland beat West Indies by 11 runs
In both sides' opening fixture of the tournament, West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews won the toss and elected to field first at the Lahore City Association Ground. Scotland openers Abbi Aitken-Drummond and Darcey Carter put on 48 for the first wicket in a sedate but solid start, before Matthews came on to bowl and removed Aitken-Drummond for 21.
Matthews then dismissed opposite number Kathryn Bryce, and Carter, in her next two overs. Ailsa Lister was then run out by Chinelle Henry before Sarah Bryce and Megan McColl put on 82 for the fifth wicket.
Match 2, West Indies Women vs Scotland Women
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- Ball by ball Over
Matthews returned to break that partnership in the 34th over, picking up her fourth wicket by getting Bryce for 55. Karishma Ramharack and Aaliyah Alleyne then cleaned up the tail as Scotland made it to 244, thanks in large part to Katherine Fraser's unbeaten 25.
In the chase, West Indies lost Qiana Joseph in the second over, before Matthews and Zaida James put them on track with a 113-run stand for the second wicket. However, after James was dismissed for 45, they slid from 120-1 to 192-6 even as Matthews held up an end.
Struggling with cramp in the searing Lahore heat, the West Indies skipper eventually retired hurt on 95, at 194-6, only for West Indies to go down to 199-8. Matthews then came back out and hit her first delivery for four through point, before collapsing to the ground. She was stretchered off with the score at 203-8, and it appeared her race was run.
But the very next ball, last batter Karishma Ramharack was dismissed for a golden duck. Scotland began celebrating their win, only for Matthews to courageously return to the field for a second time. With another 42 still required, Matthews and Alleyne began to tick off the runs.
With four overs to go, West Indies needed 13 to win. Matthews took a single off the first ball, only for Alleyne to be trapped lbw by Abtaha Maqsood and finally bring an end to the chase. Matthews remained not out on 114, becoming just the fourth woman to score a century and pick up four wickets in an ODI, and the first man or woman to do so in a losing cause.
This is only the teams' second meeting in women's ODIs, West Indies winning the first by 10 wickets in 2003. It is also Scotland's first win over a Full Member nation, apart from Ireland.
What does Scotland's victory mean for the World Cup Qualifer?
Out of the six teams participating in this round-robin tournament, the top two will progress to the World Cup, set to be held in India later this year. Pakistan, Bangladesh and West Indies are the favourites to do so, but this loss means the latter are in trouble. Pakistan, as expected, beat Ireland in their opening match. Bangladesh will take on Thailand tomorrow.
Scotland's chances have also received a massive boost with this win. They will likely back themselves to beat Thailand, and perhaps squeak past Bangladesh. In addition, at least one of Pakistan and West Indies will drop points when they face off on April 14, and the same for Bangladesh v Pakistan and Bangladesh v West Indies.
Image credit: X / @CricketScotland
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