RAIN DELAYS FRUSTRATE SCOTS IN TRINIDAD – Cricket Scotland

Persistent rain thwarted Scotland’s Men in Trinidad on Thursday, as their opening ICC T20 World Cup warmup fixture against Uganda was abandoned.

The Scots were well set on 27-0 after 11 balls, chasing a target of 91 in 18 overs, when a fourth tropical shower of the day ended the contest as a no result.

It was, however, a worthwhile exercise for the Scots, who next play Afghanistan on Friday in Port of Spain in their final fixture before facing England in Barbados next Tuesday.

After winning the toss at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in San Fernando, Richie Berrington chose to field first, and Uganda were under immediate pressure. Safyaan Sharif took two new ball wickets before the first rain interruption after 6 overs, leaving Uganda 32-2.

After an hours’ delay, play resumed for six overs which produced a wicket for Jack Jarvis, before the rains returned with a vengeance with Uganda 51-3.

The humid atmosphere and a lively wicket made for tricky conditions for both sides, and Uganda eventually closed on 90-5, with two wickets each for Sharif and Jarvis.

In reply, openers George Munsey and Ollie Hairs flew out the traps, with Hairs smashing four boundaries in quick succession, before the rain returned heavier than ever.

With another fixture due to take place at the ground later in the day and no sign of the weather improving, handshakes took place all round, and the Scots turned their focus to Afghanistan.

Hairs said: “It was good to get out and see the conditions in a match situation after a few training sessions, get some time in the middle and some miles in the legs before the tournament starts.

“The conditions were interesting! The spin was doing quite a lot, but it was good to dial in our skills in the field, and then with the brief batting time George and I got, it was worthwhile, even with the on-off situation with the rain.”

Scotland v Afghanistan begins at 1030 local time on Friday (1530 UK) at the Queen’s Park Oval.