Blain guides Scotland to win

Scotland have emerged victorious from their one-day match against Canada, the fifth of the ICC associates tri-series in Mombasa, winning by two wickets.

Set a total of 209 to win, Scotland started their chase in an unsteady fashion with the loss of opener Navdeep Poonia for just two runs. However a 52 run second wicket partnership between Majid Haq (45) and Ryan Watson(39) laid the foundations for a seemingly convincing win.

However some clever bowling from Canada, saw them restrict their opposition, not letting any of Scotland’s middle order batsman the opportunity to make a start, Gavin Hamilton being the only exception, making a steady and mature 44.

With not many wickets in hand the game was in the balance, before the calm thinking of John Blain guided Scotland to victory. Blain scored an unbeaten 30 off 21 balls, impressing the crowd with four fours and a six.

Davison and Dhaniram were the pick of the Canadian bowlers, taking two wickets each and going for 31 and 24 runs respectively.

Blain also played a crucial role earlier in the day, when Canada won the toss. Electing to bat they immediately got off to a flying start.

A 64 first wicket stand from John Davison(39) and Abdool Samadtook(21) took the game right up to the Scots before Canada’s middle order began to crumble. Bagai(13), Ali (2), Chumney (21), Mulla (15) all failed to capitalise on the openers success, with Canada in deep trouble at this stage.

However an aggressive seventh-wicket partnership of 70 from Don Maxwell and Sunil Dhaniram saw them resurrect their sides total to a semblance of respect. The tail was dispensed of cheaply, with the Canadians all out for 208 in the 44th over.

All the Scottish bowlers contributed to the cause, with the captain Wright the standout, taking four wickets in his 8 overs and conceding just 29 runs. Blain, who had a stellar match picked up three scalps in a great all round performance.

The win marks Scotland second for the tournament, their first also coming against Canada and also by the same margin – two wickets.

Canada will take on Kenya for the final match of the tri-series tomorrow. Their previous meeting was cancelled when the Canadian team were unable to field an XI with members of the side sick with food poisoning.

Canada 208
Sunil Dhaniram 46, John Davison 39
Craig Wright 4-29, John Blain 3-46

Scotland 209-8
Majid Haq 45, Gavin Hamilton 44
Sunil Dhaniram 2-24, John Davison 2-31

Scotland won by two wickets