West Indies made a strong start to their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 preparations with a victory over Scotland in the warm-up match at Harare Sports Club. Scotland started brightly, with Chris Sole taking the first three wickets to reduce the two-time champions to 28-3 after six overs. Captain Shai Hope made 57 as he rallied his side before becoming the first of Chris Greaves’ three wickets. Jack Jarvis mopped up the West Indies tail despite Romario Shepherd’s quickfire 57 from 46 balls, as West Indies were dismissed for 264 with eight balls of their innings remaining. The powerfully-built six-footer smashed five fours and three sixes as he shepherded the lower order to see West Indies post 110 runs for the last three wickets in 13 overs.

In reply, Scotland stuttered with no batter able to get past 40, as Brandon McMullen top-scored with 38 from 57 balls. The middle order made only 15 runs between them as leg-spinner Yannic Cariah took 4-46, while off-spinner Roston Chase grabbed 3-43 to dismiss Scotland for 173 inside 36 overs. “The lengths were the key top bowling on the pitch and that helped me a lot … that 4 1/2-to-5 metre length is what worked. The pace at which I bowled was also crucial and that worked.,” Cariah said. “For me, I know the brand of cricket we want to play. I know my role in coming in those middle overs and looking to build pressure and also capture wickets.”

West Indies are scheduled to have a training session on Wednesday before their second warm-up match on Thursday against United Arab Emirates. The West Indies have been drawn in Group A alongside United States, Nepal, Netherlands and hosts Zimbabwe. FULL SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Rovman Powell (vice captain), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Johnson Charles, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Romario ShepherdWest Indies Match Schedule;  All matches start at 9am local time (3am Eastern Caribbean/2am Jamaica). Sunday 18 June: v USA at Takashinga Cricket Club, Thursday 22 June: v Nepal at Harare Sports Club, Saturday 24 June: v Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Monday 26 June: v Netherlands at Takashinga Cricket Club.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP