Scotland reaches semi-final after comfortable victory over Bermuda by ICC Media Release

---

Event:

ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2008

---

DateLine: 4th August 2008

 

Scotland reached the semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier from Group A after a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Bermuda at Stormont in Belfast, Ireland on Sunday.

 

Scotland, which joins the Netherlands in the last four, achieved the 100-run target in 17.4 overs after Ryan Watson had won the toss and put Bermuda into bat on another fine day in Belfast.

 

The fact that Scotland lost to Ireland in 19.5 overs yesterday and won with 14 balls to spare today, gives it a net run-rate of +0.31 while Ireland and Bermuda have a net run-rate of +0.10 and -0.71 respectively.

 

While it is guaranteed a place in tomorrow’s semi-final, Scotland will have wait for the outcome of Ireland – Bermuda match to know where it finishes in this group. The match starts 1630 (local time).

 

Bermuda was never in control of the situation against a rejuvenated Scotland bowling attack led by former Worcestershire fast bowler Dewald Nel, who finished with impressive figures of 4-2-12-3 to pick up the man-of-the-match award.

 

Nel was on a hat-trick when he shattered the symmetry of Irving Romaine’s and Jekon Edness’ stumps on successive balls only to be denied the feat by Rodney Trott who fell to Gordon Drummond (1-22) four balls later without troubling the scorers.

 

Stephen Outerbridge with 37 not out was the top scorer for Bermuda while David Hemp (20) and Oliver Pitcher (13) were the other batsmen to show flashes of brilliance.

 

Scotland made a nervous start when it lost Watson (0) and Fraser Watts (7) in the third over but an unbroken 92-run third wicket partnership between Colin Smith and Navdeep Poonia ensured that the third-seeded side not only won without any further hiccups but also managed to finish with a positive net run-rate.

 

The 35-year-old Smith scored 46 from 42 balls with four fours while Poonia scored 38 from 54 deliveries.

 

Bermuda had its moments in the match but failed to take chances when they were offered. Its players dropped two straightforward catches and failed to convert a run-out opportunity when Smith and Poonia were stranded in the middle of the pitch.

 

At stake in the Belfast tournament are two or possibly three places in the ICC World Twenty20 2009 being staged in England. Both finalists will qualify for the tournament which will take place at Lord’s, The Oval and Trent Bridge next June.

 

The third place to be decided by a third and fourth-place play-off is dependent on Zimbabwe Cricket’s Board ratifying a decision taken by its officials during ICC Annual Conference week, to step back from the tournament.

 

Scores in brief:

 

Group A

 

Scotland beat Bermuda by eight wickets

 

Bermuda 99-7 in 20 overs (Stephen Outerbridge 37 not out, David Hemp 20; Dewald Nel 3-12)

 

Scotland 100-2 in 17.4 overs (Colin Smith 46 not out, Navdeep Poonia 38 not out)

 

 

Full scorecards are available online at:

 

www.iccworldtwenty20qualifier.com

 

For more information go to:

 

www.iccworldtwenty20qualifier.com