Player of the Match
Player of the Match

4:08pm Right. That will be a wrap from us. West Indies, courtesy of their third successive defeat in the World Cup Qualifier, are now officially out of the reckoning. Scotland are well and truly alive, and what a turnaround it is for them. In 2018, they lost to the West Indies and that put paid to their 2019 World Cup hopes. In 2023, they have defeated that very opposition and courtesy of that win, now have a very realistic shot at World Cup qualification.

Tomorrow, Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe in another clutch contest, with the winner taking a giant stride towards qualification, while the loser might just start looking over their shoulders nervously. Do join us for that game too. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Ekanth, Ranjith, Sudeep and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo! Goodbye and take care!

Richie Berrington, Scotland captain: (Significance of this win) A really important win. We know the importance of every game. Playing for the World Cup is as big as it gets. The boys were outstanding, they managed to get early wickets and we kept creating chances in the middle. It was very well followed up by that partnership by Brandon and Matthew Cross. (On their bowling preparation) We have been really clear with our plans. Guys have been feeling good and confident. Makes it easier when you have lots of options. Since Brandon has come in…he is still very early in his career but he has had some fantastic performances. He was pretty happy today to keep going (for nine overs straight). A very special talent. (On the match against Zimbabwe) Should be another great game. All to play for still. Two important points on the line, so should be a good test against them at home in Bulawayo. (On the transition period after the retirement of key players) Things have gone pretty well for us in the last year or so. missing two players like Kyle (Coetzer) and Callum (MacLeod) is huge. The young players have stepped up and having few more experienced players around helps. (On the support) It has been fantastic and long may it continue.

Shai Hope, West Indies captain: To be honest, there is not one thing I can put my finger on. We let ourselves down in the entire tournament. We have to look at the way we start our innings definitely. (Challenges against Scotland bowlers) We knew it would be challenging. The toss is always crucial but we need to find a way to counter that early movement. (On the fielding) I probably have to say the mindset. It really has to do with the attitude, we need to put in a much better effort. The effort needs to remain, regardless of what has happened. We did it in patches but we certainly need to improve on that. (What is the way forward) The preparation needs to be better. We cannot come here and expect to be an elite team without preparation. Cannot expect to wake up one morning and be a great team. We know there is two more games left, we need to find a way to bounce back. (On if there is enough talent in the Caribbean) There is no question about it. We need to make sure we transfer that talent into consistent performances. (On Scotland) They played really well. Credit must be given to them. (On Darren Sammy) We are all new so we had to understand each other even more. Lots to look forward to and we all have to go one way - that is up.

Despite the West Indies failing to qualify for the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup last year, their inability to make it to India for the ODI World Cup later this year has come as a massive shock. Here is Firdose Moonda, trying to make sense of where and how it all went so awfully wrong for the West Indies.

Brandon McMullen, Player of the Match: (On his bowling display) I am not too sure (on bowling nine overs on the trot). It was going my way so had to make use of it. (Which wicket gave him the most pleasure) All three of them (wickets) were pretty good. (On his thoughts when walking out to bat) Just tried to play my game, rebuild and give my team the best chance of winning the game. (On Cross) He was phenomenal today, took a lot of pressure off us. Awesome to see him back in form. That was pretty good, I was chuffed with that one. My plan is to play straight, glad that it came off. (On how it feels to win this award) No words really, awesome to have them (my teammates) all here.

3:48pm As far as the contest was concerned, well, it turned out to be fairly one-sided. Scotland won the toss and caused the West Indies all sorts of problems in the powerplay. West Indies simply could not recover thereafter and stuttered and stumbled their way to 181.

Scotland's innings began in similar fashion, with McBride departing for a golden duck. Thankfully for them, Cross and McMullen held their own, rotating strike beautifully and pouncing on anything lose. Both registered half-centuries and ensured that there were no further hiccups. This is a massive day in Scottish cricket and it is fitting that one of their biggest victories could now also be one of their most accomplished performances.

3:44pm How in the world has it come to this. How on earth have the West Indies gotten themselves here. The two-time champions, the World Cup trend setters, winners of the first two editions, will not be in India in October to compete for a prize they last won more than four decades ago. This is the West Indies' worst-imagined nightmare, and some.

For Scotland, this is another step closer to paradise. That dream of participating in a ten-team World Cup is still alive. They might need a result or two to go their way but they can now go into any forthcoming battle, knowing that they have what it takes to win. That is an enviable position to be in, a situation beyond their wildest dreams. It is, in a nutshell, where the West Indies would have wanted to be but are well short of.

43.3
4
Shepherd to Cross, FOUR, that will be that! Scotland win by seven wickets and they have sent the West Indies tumbling out of the World Cup race! Half-tracker outside off stump. Cross picks the length early, waits in his crease and thumps it over mid wicket to seal a resounding victory for Scotland!
43.2
0
Shepherd to Cross, no run, back of a length delivery outside off stump. Cross stands up tall and punches it straight to short extra cover
43.1
0
Shepherd to Cross, no run, length delivery on off stump. Cross gets a half stride forward and pushes it towards extra cover

Just one run needed now. Shepherd to bowl what could be the final over of this contest. Everyone inside the ring

END OF OVER:
43 | 8 Runs | SCOT: 181/3 (1 run required from 42 balls, RR: 4.20, RRR: 0.14)

  • Richie Berrington13 (14b)
  • Matthew Cross70 (104b)
  • Kevin Sinclair8-0-41-0
  • Jason Holder8-1-37-1
42.6
4
Sinclair to Berrington, FOUR, scores level! Length delivery fired down the leg side. Berrington uses the pace and tickles it deftly past short fine leg for four!
42.5
1
Sinclair to Cross, 1 run, back of a length delivery outside off stump. Cross eases it towards deep cover point for another single
42.4
0
Sinclair to Cross, no run, length delivery on middle and off stump. Cross blocks it back to the bowler
42.3
0
Sinclair to Cross, no run, back of a length delivery on off stump. Cross hangs back and tugs it towards short mid wicket
42.2
1
Sinclair to Berrington, 1 run, length delivery outside off stump. Berrington comes forward and jabs it towards deep cover point

Seven more runs needed now for victory. Can Scotland get it done this over?

42.1
2
Sinclair to Berrington, 2 runs, flighted on a full length outside off stump. Berrington plants his front foot and chips it over extra cover for another brace

END OF OVER:
42 | 8 Runs | SCOT: 173/3 (9 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 4.11, RRR: 1.12)

  • Richie Berrington6 (11b)
  • Matthew Cross69 (101b)
  • Jason Holder8-1-37-1
  • Kevin Sinclair7-0-33-0
41.6
1
Holder to Berrington, 1 run, banged into the track on leg stump. Berrington gets inside the line, rolls his wrists over it and helps it down to fine leg
41.5
0
Holder to Berrington, no run, full and angled into off stump. Berrington clinks it down the ground towards mid off
41.4
4
Holder to Berrington, FOUR, back of a length delivery just outside off stump. Berrington opens his bat face and glides it down to third man. Powell makes a very ordinary attempt on the fence and cannot prevent the boundary!
41.3
0
Holder to Berrington, no run, back of a length delivery on off stump. Berrington gets behind it and plays with a straight bat
41.2
1
Holder to Cross, 1 run, back of a length delivery on leg stump. Cross glances it down to fine leg for another single
41.1
2
Holder to Cross, 2 runs, dug into the track on off stump. Cross gets on top of the bounce and pulls it towards deep square leg. Charles dives to his right and saves a couple of runs

Holder returns

END OF OVER:
41 | 3 Runs | SCOT: 165/3 (17 runs required from 54 balls, RR: 4.02, RRR: 1.88)

  • Matthew Cross66 (99b)
  • Richie Berrington1 (7b)
  • Kevin Sinclair7-0-33-0
  • Akeal Hosein10-0-26-1
40.6
1
Sinclair to Cross, 1 run, back of a length delivery at the stumps. Cross pushes it down to long on for one more run

Scotland 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st0MH CrossCM McBride
2nd125MH CrossB McMullen
3rd37MH CrossHG Munsey
4th23RD BerringtonMH Cross

ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier

Super Six
TeamMWLPTNRR
SL33060.91
NED32140.662
SCOT32140.215
WI3122-0.091
ZIM3122-0.748
OMA3030-1.087
Group A
TeamMWLPTNRR
ZIM44082.241
NED43160.669
WI42240.525
NEP4132-1.171
USA4040-2.164
Group B
TeamMWLPTNRR
SL44083.047
SCOT43160.54
OMA4224-1.221
IRE4132-0.061
UAE4040-2.249