Scotland and UAE advance to ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand

In the second match of the day, Scotland recorded a nail-biting three wicket victory over Kenya to secure a top-two finish and a trip to Australia and New Zealand in 2015 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

After dismissing Kenya for 260 with three balls to spare, despite a valiant 89 from opener Alex Obanda (89), Scotland chased down the total with three balls to spare thanks to another man of the match performance from skipper Preston Mommsen, who scored 78. Opener Matthew Cross (55) and number eight Rob Taylor (46 not out) also contributed, with Taylor still at the crease to strike a flurry of boundaries to guarantee the last-gasp victory.

Scotland celebrates victory over Kenya to advance to the ICC CWC 2015

Scotland finished second in the Super Six table, and skipper Mommsen, who is also the third-highest run-getter of the tournament, said the side was ecstatic to be advancing to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. “It is absolutely awesome, we have worked really hard to get to this position and to actually get over the line is unbelievable. The feeling is immense.”

Scotland has played in two previous ICC Cricket World Cup events (1999 and 2007), and the captain was thrilled that Scotland will be returning after failing to qualify for the 2011 edition. “We’ve had a bit of an absence, so to get back in there is unbelievable. The dressing room is very, very happy to say the least.”

The skipper said his side will be looking forward to returning to New Zealand in 2015. “I think we are very happy in New Zealand, to be honest with you. We get quite a bit of support, which is nice, and I think the guys have suited well to the conditions and the wickets.”

Reflecting on the final few overs of Thursday’s match, Mommsen said the batsmen had performed admirably under pressure. “The guys at the end were unbelievable, they held their nerve, there was still a lot of work to do, and it was a massive team effort in the team. Some good partnerships won us the game.”

The skipper was determined that his side will remain focused for the tournament final. “The final is a massive game for us. We want to leave this tournament as the number one team, so we will be going full on for that.”

In the third Super Six match of the day, Hong Kong recorded a comprehensive three wicket victory over PNG at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln. to secure third position. In a match live-streamed on the official ICC website, www.icc-cricket.com, Hong Kong chased down the PNG total of 255 in 36.1 overs with three wickets in hand. The top order ensured quick runs, with Irfan Ahmed (90 from 82 balls), captain Jamie Atkinson (36 from 37 balls) and number four batsman Mark Chapman (64 from 50 balls) making sure that Hong Kong sealed victory as quickly as possible to keep it in the race for a top-two finish.

PNG’s Geraint Jones (82) and Assad Vala (57) earlier put on a 96-runs stand for the fifth wicket to lead the side to its total of 255 for eight from its 50 overs.

Scores in brief:

At Rangiora Oval, Christchurch, South Island

UAE 263 for 49.5 overs (Khurram Khan 49, Shaiman Anwar 47, Amjad Ali 46, Swapnil Patil 38; Louis Klazinga 5-36, Sarel Burger 2-47)Namibia 227 for nine, 50 overs (Sarel Burger 54, Gerrie Snyman 48, Nicolaas Scholtz 33; Amjad Javed 3-35, Manjula Guruge 2-34, Khurram Khan 2-45, Kamran Shazad 2-48)Result: UAE won by 36 runsMan of the Match: Louis Klazinga (Namibia)

At Hagley Oval, Christchurch, South Island

Kenya 260 all out, 50 overs (Alex Obanda 89, Rakep Patel 38, Collins Obuya 29; Safyaan Sharif 2-65)Scotland 261 for seven, 49.3 overs (Preston Mommsen 78, Matthew Cross 55, Rob Taylor 46 not out, Richard Berrington 30; Thomas Odoyo 3-53)Result: Scotland won by three wicketsMan of the Match: Preston Mommsen (Scotland)

At Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, South Island

PNG 255 for eight, 50 overs (Geraint Jones 82, Assad Vala 57, Jack Vare 38, Mahuru Dai 26; Haseeb Amjad 3-70, Tanwir Afzal 2-33, Irfan Ahmed 2-34)Hong Kong 259 for seven, 36.1 overs (Irfan Ahmed 90, Mark Chapman 64, Jamie Atkinson 36; Willie Gavera 3-53, Raymond Haoda 2-69)Result: Hong Kong won by three wicketsMan of the Match: Irfan Ahmed (Hong Kong)