Scotland Women A opened the home summer in style on Sunday as they recorded victories over Lancashire and Cumbria in the Vitality Women’s County T20.
It was a strong Scotland squad on show at Clydesdale, with a blend of National Team players, Under 19s, and recent Under 19s graduates involved.
The Scots began the day by defeating Lancashire by 46 runs in the day’s opening fixture, before emerging victorious by eight wickets in a rain-affected clash with Cumbria.
Women’s Head Coach Peter Ross said: “It was a great day of cricket, and a great opportunity to get some good quality cricket in before the international summer starts.
“We got just about everything we wanted out of the weekend, and it was very pleasing to see the quality of cricket we played throughout the day.
“Almost all our batters got some time in the middle, our bowlers got overs in on grass, and we were challenged at different times throughout the day.
“Ailsa Lister’s innings (117*) was amazing to watch against a good Lancashire side, her skill execution was incredible.
“She’s worked so hard across the winter to tighten up her technique and create more areas for scoring, and she brought all the shots out yesterday.
“We were able to see where our players are relative to counties and professional set ups in England, and these fixtures allow players to push their case for international squad selection by putting in performances against some good players.
“Clydesdale were fantastic hosts and delivered a superb playing surface and venue, so they deserve huge thanks.”
Scotland opened the day against a dangerous Lancashire side, and 19-year-old Ailsa Lister was the star of the show as she struck a breathtaking unbeaten 117 from 75 balls.
It was an innings of brutal hitting from Lister who hit 17 fours and three sixes as she carried Scotland to an imposing total of 180-7 despite the loss of regular wickets.
Becky Glen struck a brisk 13, the next most significant contribution, but her departure with the score on 123 was the first of Daisy Mullan’s hat-trick.
That failed to de-rail the hosts, however, as Lister and Olivia Bell added 57 in six overs to set the visitors a target of 181.
Scotland’s defence got off to the perfect when Hannah Rainey, fresh off signing a contract for the Thunder, bowled the dangerous Seren Smale first ball.
The Red Rose failed to keep up the required rate, despite an excellent unbeaten 65 from Sophia Turner, thanks to a disciplined bowling display, Megan McColl the pick of the bowlers with 2-19.
In the Scots’ second game they would find themselves bowling first, delivering another controlled performance as Cumbria were restricted to 83-7 from their rain-affected 16 overs.
Kirsty McColl took 2-21, Maisie Maceira 1-3, Olivia Bell 1-8, and Rainey 1-9.
In reply, Ellen Watson (39) and Charis Scott (30*) put on 55 for the opening wicket to put their side firmly in control, and Scott would be there at the end alongside Megan McColl (8*) to guide their side to an eight-wicket win inside 10 overs.
In the day’s other action, Lancashire defeated Cumbria by 146 runs, with the Red Rose’s Seren Smale striking a magnificent 121.
