Even the associates are beginning to get amongst the runs at the Cricket World Cup, after Scotland and Bangladesh both mustered well over 300 today. In a World Cup full of runs, and thus subsequent grumbles about the size of the bats, two of the lesser nations treated the Saxton Oval faithful to their share of the runs.
Read more on the solitary game played between Bangladesh and Scotland on day 19, below:
Day 19 Results
Scotland v Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s senior statesman delivered a win for their team against a fighting Scotland effort in Nelson today. The dominant names of Bangladesh cricket all got on the shortened scoreboard, to see off a Scotland side that were brilliantly led by Kyle Coetzer who made his nations first ever World Cup hundred.
Coetzer didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. His 156 was an exceptional piece of batting, and more than a hundred more than any of his team mates scored. He swatted 17 fours and 4 maximums to guide his side to their third-highest ODI total. While not enough to get them a first win, it was significant enough to earn Coetzer the man of the match award. Useful contributions came via Macham (35), Mommsen (39) and Berrington (26), unfortunately none of them kicked on, nor were any at the speed required to threaten 350+.
Bangladesh timed their chase nicely; the bulk of it coming from a 139 run second wicket stand between Tamin Iqbal and Mahmudullah. Tamin was patient, disciplined and seemed to enjoy batting with the more free scoring Mahmudullah who also earned praise for batting so competently after a late promotion. Musfiqur, Shakib and Sabbir Rahman then polished off the total with two overs to go. They made 72 from 72 to win look easy.
The win is important confidence boost for Bangladesh. The belief that they can chase big targets is a big advantage going into their next match against England, which shapes as a quarterfinal showdown.
Bangladesh 322 for 4 (Tamim 95, Mahmudullah 65, Mushfiqur 60, Shakib 52*) beat Scotland 318 for 8 (Coetzer 156, Taskin 3-41) by six wickets
