ICC/CricketEurope

---

Scotland cruised to a 10 wicket win in the opening game of the European ‘A’ Championships in Rotterdam. The opening pair of Steve Knox and Ryan Flannigan batted sensibly and with great determination to reach their modest target of 92 in 30.1 overs.

Flannigan survived one chance, dropped by wicket keeper Melad Nawabi on 7, with the total on 22, when he might have been better advised leaving it to David Borcheresen at first slip. However, that was the closest Denmark got, in a bowling display which although by and large was fairly accurate, but rarely threatening.

Flannigan finished unbeaten on 48 from 88 balls, while his captain Knox, made 35 not out from 94 deliveries. Both hit 3 fours, on a day when boundaries were at a premium on the large VOC ground.

Bashir Shah (0-16 from 7) and Omar Hayat (0-14 off 5) both bowled with a fair degree of control and were chiefly responsible for delaying the Scottish charge until after the lunch interval.

In the morning Denmark surprisingly opted to bat first in overcast conditions, which suited the Scottish seamers, once they had settled into their rhythm. Extras were the top score with 23, all wides in the poor Danish score of 91 all out in exactly 40 overs.

Their batsmen all failed to deal with the pace and movement in helpful conditions, although it was the leg-spin of Moneeb Iqbal which proved the most successful. The Durham bowler took 3-16 from 7 overs, as he troubled all the batsmen. Off spinner Majid Haq was equally as frugal, taking 1-10 from 7 overs.

Earlier it was the seamers who all found the track and grey clouds to their liking, with wickets for Holmes (2-21), Redhead (2-23), Weeraratna (1-10) and Berrington (1-11).

Only two of the Danish batsmen reached double figures, with Omar Hayat making 15, and number 10 Bashir Shah scoring 12.

It won’t get any easier for the Danes who face tournament favourites Ireland at VRA tomorrow.