ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifier, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Ireland 110-9 (20 overs): Paul 45, Kelly 35; K Bryce 4-8, Slater 3-32
Scotland 112-2 (16.2 overs): McColl 50, K Bryce 35*; Kelly 2-28
Scotland beat Ireland by eight wickets
Scotland booked their place at this year’s Women’s T20 World Cup with a dominant eight-wicket qualifier semi-final win over Ireland in Abu Dhabi which ended the Irish team’s hopes of earning a place in Bangladesh.
Skipper Kathryn Bryce set up Scotland’s victory as she ripped through the Irish top order by producing figures of 4-8.
Bryce dismissed openers Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis to leave Ireland on 1-2 and it soon became 25-5 after 6.1 overs.
Leah Paul’s 45 help Ireland post 110-9 but it looked a below-par total and Megan McColl’s 50 and Bryce’s unbeaten 35 helped the Scots reach their target with ease in 16.2 overs.
Bryce’s bowling brilliance was backed up by three wickets from Rachel Slater, who dismissed Paul and Arlene Kelly after their 60-run partnership had enabled Ireland to reach three figures.
Ireland skipper Laura Delany and Eimear Richardson also departed cheaply to Bryce deliveries with Slater’s crucial contribution including the run-out of Orla Prendergast.
Opener McColl’s 50 was her maiden international T20 half century as she was involved in two 49-run partnerships with Saskia Horley and captain Bryce.
Scotland will face Sri Lanka – who beat hosts United Arab Emirates – in Tuesday’s qualifier final, safe in the knowledge that they have already achieved their tournament goal.
“That’s up there with the best [spells I’ve seen],” Sarah Bryce said of sister Kathryn’s exploits.
“Obviously an unbelievable spell in itself, but to do that in a must-win game to get your country to a WC for the first time under that sort of pressure is unbelievable.
“I couldn’t be prouder of her, and I think that set the tone for the rest of the day.”
