DUBAI: Scotland’s faint hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup were extin-guished after a crushing a 80-run defeat by South Africa in Dubai. Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp all made scores in the forties to help South Africa post 166-5 – the highest score in the tournament until India made 172-3 against Sri Lanka later in the day.
Five Scotland bowlers picked up one wicket apiece, with captain Kathryn Bryce arguably the most im-pressive as she showed resilience and control at the death to claim 1-31.
Scotland, an Associate member playing in their first World Cup, struggled against South Africa’s spin-ners as they were bowled out for 86 in response.
Katherine Fraser top scored for Scotland with 14, and was one of only two players into double figures with the bat, as Nonkululeko Mlaba took 3-12.
South Africa moved top of Group A on four points – level with second-place England but ahead of them on net run-rate having played a game more – while winless Scotland remain bottom.
The margin of victory also ensured the Proteas have a superior net run-rate to third-placed West In-dies, with two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals.
Scotland face England in their final pool match in Sharjah on Sunday, while South Africa face Bangla-desh in Dubai on Saturday. –Agencies
