Scotland 169 (50 ov) Scholes 35, Priddle 31, Siaka 6/19 beat Papua New Guinea 162 (50.0 ov) Tau 46, Anderson 3/36, Chatterji 2/22, by 7 runs
Scotland had the opportunity to bounce back following their defeat to Bangladesh the day before in their third Women’s World Cup Qualifying match against Papua New Guinea at the Mercantile Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Scotland lost Sarah Bryce in the second over as she edged behind a Tom delivery. Ollie Rae found the boundaries early, driving and pulling the ball to great effect. She was struck with a full toss but recovered to send the free hit all the way for six.
Rae departed looking to sweep for 22 and Kathryn Bryce and Kari Anderson met in the middle. All was going well until a tight run to mid-wicket was well collected by Ovasuru who threw down the stumps to see Bryce well short of her ground.
Rachel Scholes (35) and Anderson (26) then put on the highest partnership of the innings, worth 59. Scholes was aggressive in her approach, launching a Frank delivery over mid-wicket for six in the 30th over, with the score on 86/3.
Fiona Urquhart also played a canny hand to keep the momentum of the innings going with 24 from 32 deliveries.
The Scots found themselves in a slightly precarious position 118/5, but handy innings of 31 from Liz Priddle ensured that 169 would be the total set for the Papua New Guinea batters.
The reply got off to a strong start from a PNG perspective, as Brenda Tau and Tanya Ruma batted sensibly to ensure their team would reach 72 without loss at the start of the 24th over, leaving Scotland looking for a moment of inspiration if they were to get back into the match.
That moment came courtesy of Kathryn Bryce; the impressive 19-year-old threw down the stumps from mid-on as Ruma was run out for 32.
It was the experienced hand of Kari Anderson who produced the second dismissal when she too ran out Pauke Siaka, and Scotland now knew that they had a real chance.
The Bryce and Anderson show continued as Konio Oala was caught on the boundary as the two combined, before Bryce bowled Veru Frank for a duck, leaving PNG on 104/4 in the 38th over.
The drama continued as Tau continued to work the ball around, making her way to 46 before being wrapped on the pads and given out off the bowling of Anderson.
Sibona Jimmy would keep the contest alive with 23 and while the tail continued to contribute despite regular wickets falling.
PNG would come within 7 runs of the Scotland total before Prinaz Chatterji took a return catch off her own bowling to give the Scots a dramatic win.
After the game captain Abbi Aitken said, “Credit to the PNG girls, they batted well and sensibly which resulted in a good game of cricket in the end. It was very important that we got over the line and thankfully we did.
“Kari keeps coming up with those performances, and she’s done it again today – we’re very grateful that she’s in our team
I think Kathryn Bryce also showed real intent with the bat and was really good with the bat, she was unfortunate with the run out, and also great with the ball. It’s a big task for a 19-year-old to open the bowling but she makes it very easy, so credit to Kathryn too.”
Scotland will now have a rest day to prepare for their final group game of the tournament against Pakistan.
