Scotland registered their highest ever First Class score on the final day of the Intercontinental Cup match against Papua New Guinea at Amini Park as the teams played out a draw. [Scorecard]
The previous two previous highest First Class scores came against Ireland (489 in 1954 and 485 in 1909).
Mark Watt and Chris Sole returned to the crease at the start of the final day and managed to extend Scotland’s lead to 110 before the final wicket fell, leaving Watt unbeaten on 81.
PNG ensured there would be no wobbles in the second innings as solid scores from Tony Ura (75) and Lega Siaka (83) helped recover from the early loss of Vani Morea.
Ali Evans, Michael Leask and Calum MacLeod all finished with a wicket apiece before the captains shook hands.
At the end of play Scotland coach Grant Bradburn was full of praise for his team, “Very proud of our boys to perform like they have done for the last four days on the other side of the world. It’s not easy to come to these sorts of conditions and we’re very impressed with the facilities, but it’s a tough wicket and very different to ones in Scotland.
I’m very proud with the way the guys to showed character and the skill and discipline that was need to get up and get a first innings result in this match so I’m very pleased.”
Scotland will now have a day off to recover tomorrow before taking on the Barramundis in two crucial ODIs in the World Cricket League Championship (6th/8th October), again at Amini Park.
