Scotland’s cricketers have been preparing for their final two ICC World Cricket League matches against Kenya at Dubai International stadium, starting tomorrow (6th December).
The Scots know that one win from the two games against Kenya will secure their spot for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in March 2018.
There is a still a glimmer of hope at pipping the Netherlands to top spot in the World Cricket League although it would need two victories for Namibia over the Dutch coupled with two Scotland wins.
With the ICC announcing last February that the winners of the tournament would qualifier for the 13-team ODI league.
DIS is a venue where Scotland have featured heavily during this tour of the UAE, beating Papua New Guinea in two One Day International’s and then against Ireland in an Intercontinental Cup match last week.
There is plenty of competition for places as Stuart Whittingham, who claimed impressive figures of 8/93 against Ireland, Ali Evans and Chris Sole all vie for spots in the starting XI.
With Kenya still in the hunt, currently sitting 5th in the WCL Championship table, at automatically qualification to the CWCQ there is plenty on the line going into the final round of fixtures.
Scotland’s captain Kyle Coetzer will be looking to help steer his side into the qualifier “Although it’s frustrating that we still require a win from final round of games against Kenya to reach the World Cup Qualifier. With a lot at stake we can’t consider slipping up.
Two wins still gives us a chance to finish top of the table if other results go our way but making sure we now finish in the top four is realistically our priority.
Every game in associate cricket has huge importance in terms of attempting to reach global tournaments and earn extra funding to continually develop the game in Scotland. We have played some good cricket in 2017 and will be looking for this to continue during the next two games against a dangerous Kenyan side.”
Scotland’s final match of the competition will be streamed on Friday morning.
Play will commence at 5:30 local (5:30am GMT).