Women’s Cricket World Cup qualifiers: Scotland beat West Indies in shock result

Scotland stunned West Indies with victory by 11 runs in their opening match of the Women’s World Cup qualifiers despite a herculean performance from opposing captain Hayley Matthews.

Matthews reduced Scotland to 69-3 by the 16th over, but Sarah Bryce’s 55 from 56 balls gave the innings fresh impetus.

Megan McColl (45), Katherine Fraser (25 not out) and Priyanaz Chatterji (15 off 10) helped Scotland reach 244 all out in 45 overs.

Matthews took 4-56 with the ball in Lahore and then turned her attention to chasing down Scotland’s total.

She made an unbeaten 114 off 113 balls despite being forced to retire hurt twice with cramp and exhaustion – once being taken off on a stretcher before returning.

But the 27-year-old’s magnificent innings was not enough to save West Indies from a shock defeat as they were bowled out for 233 in 46.2 overs.

Scotland’s Fraser took three wickets while Chloe Abel and Abtaha Maqsood took two apiece.

Darcey Carter conceded just 10 runs from four overs and took the wicket of Qiana Joseph for a duck in the second over to leave Windies with an uphill task.

Only Matthews and Zaida James (45) put together a meaningful partnership – their second-wicket stand of 113 runs put their side in prime position to reel in the Scots.

However, Scotland rallied to claim two important points in the group stage of the qualifier.