Bryce heroics not enough to save Scotland’s World Cup hopes

Lahore, the qualifier for the ICC Women’s World Cup, is

Scotland 268-7 (50 overs): K Bryce 131*, Fraser 33, Canning 3-48

Ireland 269-9 (50 overs): Lewis 61, Delany 57*, K Bryce 3-49.

By one wicket, Ireland prevailed.

With the final ball of the series, Ireland won by one wicket in Lahore, but Scotland’s World Cup hopes were still stifled by Kathryn Bryce’s stunning unbeaten century and three wickets.

To have a chance to finish second in the qualifier tournament, the Scots needed to win by a significant margin, as did Ireland, who were already eliminated.

And despite a 19-3 first-class start, Bryce’s personal best knock of 131 helped Scotland to reach 268 with their highest everODI total, looking strong for victory.

However, Ireland roared back to set up a tense final over, in which Bryce received four hits and took her third wicket, before consecutive leg byes in the final two balls gave them the two runs they needed for victory.

In the 20th over of Scotland’s impressive innings, Ailsa Lister and Bryce made a partnership of 62 and fell for 27 from 28 balls.

Megan McCall (15), Katherine Fraser (33), and Priyanaz Chatterji (26), all provided additional support for the skipper.

And as Bryce completed her incredible innings with her 14th four from the final delivery, along with her two sixes, Rachel Slater made her debut at the crease for the final five overs, finishing with 13 from 11 balls.

With the bat, Ireland’s captain, Gaby Lewis, and fellow opener Sarah Forbes, both put on 109 for the first wicket, but Laura Delany’s crucial unbeaten 57 helped them get past the line.

After falling to Leah Paul (11), Louise Little (one), and Sophie McMahon (three), Delany stayed in and put together a crucial eighth-wicket stand with Jane Maguire, who both scored 50 from 36 balls.

It appeared as though the momentum had swung Scotland’s way again when Maguire was bowled off by Slater just before the 49th over when she was hit for four by Bryce.

However, Cara Murray and Delany made the most of their leg byes to break Scotland’s hearts and put an end to their hopes of participating in the Indian team’s autumn World Cup in the fall.

They come close to winning their campaign after Pakistan and Bangladesh, which are behind them in the top two.