Netherlands 160/6 (20 overs) Barresi 53, Evans 2/32, Watt 1/8, Scotland 161/3 (17.4/20 overs) Berrington 49*, Munsey 46* to win by 7 wickets [Scorecard]
Scotland’s top-order guided their side to a comfortable 7 wicket win in the Netherlands on Tuesday, setting up a ‘winner takes all’ clash in the T20 Tri Series on Wednesday.
The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first in fine conditions at the VRA in Amstelveen and looked to put the Scotland bowlers on the back-foot early on.
Tim Visee (25) and Max O’Dowd put on 43 from just 3.6 overs. The introduction of spin claimed the wicket of Visee as he was bowled by Mark Watt.
Westley Barresi hit 53 from 51 balls but the Scottish bowlers showed a disciplined performance once O’Dowd was caught by Leask of Richie Berrington’s first delivery.
Ben Cooper made 22 but the Netherlands could only find 74 runs from the final 10 overs of the innings, posting 160/6 from 20 overs.
The Scottish bowling unit showed fine character to keep the score below what the Netherlands would have hoped for at one stage, Alasdair Evans returned with 2/32, while Watt (1/18) bowled a fine economical spell to keep the batsmen in check.
In reply, George Munsey and Kyle Coetzer got their side of to a blistering start sending the ball to all parts of the ground.
The captain departed for 42 and with the score on 74 in just 5.5 overs. Munsey continued to show his power with 7 fours and two huge sixes.
Munsey also perished as he neared his half-century but his efforts of 46 from 20 balls had given the Scots a perfect platform.
The experience of Berrington made sure the result was never in doubt. Calum MacLeod scored 14 before Dylan Budge contributed 9 after MacLeod’s departure. Berrington ensured there would be no nervous ending as he finished it off with a crunching four to complete a 7 wicket win.
The result means the teams will play out a show-down tomorrow at the same venue to determine who will win the T20 Tri-series.
