ICC WCWCQ 2025: Ireland keeps nervous to terminate Scotlands Run

New -delhi [India]April 19 (Ani): Scotland is now doing a top two -final in the tournament after Ireland won the competition, leaving them with two wins from five games in the qualifier, according to the ICC website. After Ireland had a good start, Laura Delany’s late boom (57*) helped them retain their composure, while Kathryn Bryce’s excellent overall performance (131* and 3/49) almost carried her team over the line. With the qualification hope on the line, Scotland won the throw and chose to bat first in their final tournament against Ireland. However, they had a shaky start when Ireland hit early and quickly removed both openers. Ava Canning then demanded the decisive wicket of Sarah Bryce, which reduced Scotland to 19 for 3. Ailsa Lister and Kathryn Bryce stabilized the innings with an important 62-running partnership, but two quick wickets soon followed, leaving Scotland half their side in the pavilion for just 100 runs. Katherine Fraser then joined Bryce, and the couple added a valuable stance of 65 runs before Fraser was fired by a brilliant delivery of Cara Murray for 33. Late in the turn, Priyanaz Chatterji and Rachel Slater cut in with a few handy runs, but it was Kathryn Bryce who anchored the turn with a wonderful beat. The captain recorded her first ODI century and finished unbeaten on 131 out of 137 balls, a turn that included 14 fours and 2 sixes. Her captain’s knock drove Scotland to a competitive total of 268. Ava Canning’s impressive 3 for 48 made her the bowlers for Ireland, while Cara Murray cut in with two wickets. Orla Prendergast and Jane Maguire also contributed with a wicket each. Ireland’s reaction was emphatic, with the openers Sarah Forbes and Gaby Lewis starting with a wave of four. With 86 runs at the end of the 15-over point, the Irish took the upper hand in the competition and kept pace with the required rate. As the stand crosses the 100-run mark, the worries on Scottish faces began to show. Eventually, an unfortunate misunderstanding between the fighters led to the departure of Forbes for 55. She fell while trying a non-existent run. When Katherine Fraser Amy Hunter came out for a first ball duck, Scotland was good and truly back in the competition. Gaby Lewis briefly held the fort with Orla Prendergast, but fell to a sharp delivery by Chloe Abel. However, the Irish fighters continued their charge and made most of the loose work from Scotland field workers. Kathryn Bryce struck back to the Scots with the wicket of Prendergast (33), and then the Fielding Side managed to join the point opportunities, which brought the demand rate over six. The ever-dependent Katherine Fraser delivered figures of 2/37 in the middle bowls and also took a beautiful catch in the 40th over the bowling of Chloe Abel to re-establish Scotland. Just as Scotland took the lead, former Ireland captain Laura Delany found an ally in Jane Maguire. The duo unleashed a variety of attacking stripes and brought their team closer to the question before Maguire fell in the 49th. An exciting final played because Ireland needs seven runs to win. The Canny Bryce bowled with Aplomb and discharged Ava Canning to leave the comparison with two of two and then one of one off with one wicket left. In the end, it was Delany who managed to combat a leg event to give Ireland a famous victory from the final ball. (Ani) first published: 19 Apr 2025, 04:01 AM IST