Ireland qualify for T20 World Cup, Scotland into play-offs

Ireland sealed their place at next year’s T20 World Cup after finishing top of their qualifying group with a major hand from Jersey.
The Irish had gone top of Group B on Saturday with victory over Nigeria, but three teams could have knocked them off their perch on the final day.
Oman were best placed to do so but they suffered a shock 14-run defeat against Jersey to stay level on eight points with Ireland but behind on the run-rate.
A big win for either Canada or United Arab Emirates in the final group game could also have knocked Ireland down to second, but a 14-run win for the hosts in Abu Dhabi went nowhere near close to doing so.
Boyd Rankin, that is sensational!
Ireland’s 6 ft 8 seamer channeled his inner @JofraArcher with an outstanding catch off his own bowling against Jersey earlier today.
It was his 50th wicket in T20I cricket. pic.twitter.com/0BDZzjnXLA
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 25, 2019
Scotland were left waiting to discover their play-off opponents after suffering a third defeat in their sixth group game.
The Scots lost by four wickets against Holland to finish fourth in Group A.
READ MORE: Vice-captain Billings keen to re-establish England T20 case
Their fate will be decided on Wednesday when they take on the loser of the play-off between Holland and UAE with a place in the finals in Australia in 12 months’ time up for grabs.
Scotland suffered a pre-match injury blow when Oli Hairs was ruled out with a broken metatarsal and they could only muster 130 in their innings.
Matthew Cross was by far their best performer with the bat, hitting 52 from 44 balls. Opener George Munsey was bowled out for seven and Calum MacLeod only managed one run before being trapped lbw.
Scotland gave themselves hope with a positive start with the ball. Safyaan Sharif took a wicket in the first over with Josh Davey plucking Tobias Visee’s strike out of the air. And fellow opener Max O’Dowd was caught out for five by MacLeod off the bowling of Alasdair Evans.
But Ben Cooper (21) and Colin Ackermann (22) steadied the ship and Ryan Ten Doeschate hit an unbeaten half-century to take the Dutch home with three overs to spare.
However, the Dutch could not achieve the run-rate required to beat Papua New Guinea to top spot and automatic qualification.
Despite sealing their place in Australia, Ireland also continue in the qualifying tournament with their semi-final against unknown opponents taking place on Friday.
Latest
-
News
Run of defeats has not damaged England’s confidence, insists Moeen Ali
The all-rounder is confident England will be in good shape for the defence of their World Cup crown.
-
County Cricket
Lancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
England
Jos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South Africa
Temba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
England
Jos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
England
Jason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
England
England batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
England
Jofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
England
England beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's Cricket
England reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.