Scotland got their campaign at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Abu Dhabi off to the perfect start with a comfortable 79 run win over the USA on Sunday.
Eight teams have been divided into two groups for this qualifying stage and the top two teams will be going through to the big event next year.
Group A consists of Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and USA while Group B features Thailand, Zimbabwe, PNG and UAE.
At the Tolerance Oval Scotland were on top form to see off the USA in their first match in Group A, 130-5 playing 51.
Captain Kathryn Bryce said: “There was a bit of an early wobble and the USA were bowling well at that stage, but the team did not panic and a good partnership got us up to a strong total.
“As a captain it is great to have such variety in our bowling attack and everyone chipped in. This is a nice confidence booster ahead of the games to come.”
With the bat Scotland were up first and fell to 45-4 in the ninth over, Kathryn Bryce the top scorer by that point with 17.
Then her younger sister Sarah Bryce took control, the wicketkeeper making 45 from 32 balls and being well supported by Priyanaz Chatterji who made 32 from 29 balls.
The duo put on 73 runs for the fifth wicket and, in the end, the Scots made 130-5 from their 20 overs.
With the ball in the second half the Scots were then on top from the start of the USA reply.
They never let any batter settle with the top scorer being 10 as the opponents were all out for 51,
Katherine Fraser took 2-7, Saskia Horley 2-8, Hannah Rainey 1-2, Abtaha Maqsood 1-10 and Rachel Slater 1-15.
There were also three run outs and the fielding and catching was sharp throughout which will have pleased the players and the coaching staff.
Sarah Bryce was named player of the match for her runs and her hand in a few run outs.
“Myself and Priyanaz just tried to build a partnership as we had plenty of overs to go and to get the side up to 130, well we felt we were In a good place at the halfway point,” the player of the match said.
“We can build from here now.”
Next up is Bangladesh at 4pm UK time on Monday.
