Scotland shock Ireland to qualify for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup

Scotland have qualified for the U19 World Cup on net-run-rate after shocking Ireland and securing a 83-run victory after an exciting final's day play of competition, and Jersey secured its second win of the tournament after defeating Netherlands by six wickets.

At Grainville, Scotland posted 244 all out, before bowling out Ireland for 161 runs in 45 overs, and Jersey scored 158 for four in 38.1 overs to secure a six-wicket victory after bowling out Netherlands for 156 in 49.3 overs.

Scotland were put in by Ireland and needed to post a big score if they had any chance of winning and overturning net-run-rate at Grainville. They duly obliged with all batters playing their part, captain Neil Flack led by example top scoring with 71 runs from 96 balls including 10 fours. Finlay McCreath (26), Ben Wilkinson (22) and Syed Shah (22) all kept the scoreboard ticking over as Scotland reached 244 all out in 49 overs. The pick of the Irish bowlers was once again Rory Anders who took four wickets for 31 runs in nine overs.

Ireland's net-run-rate advantage meant they could still lose but win the tournament, but the Scots got off to the best start taking an early wicket as Sonny Cott went for 0. Captain Jack Tector played a sensible innings (43 runs, 93 balls, one four), but the Scottish bowlers- and in particular Ben Wilkinson who ended up with figures of five wickets for 22 runs in six overs - kept taking wickets. With a couple of short rain breaks delaying proceedings Adam Dennison (36) was the next wicket to go and Rory Anders was left stranded on 21 runs not out, as Scotland bowled the Irish out for 161 and confirmed their qualification to Bangladesh.

In the day's other match Jersey secured its second victory beating Netherlands by six wickets at Les Quennevais. The Dutch batted first and once again Asad Zulfiqar was their stand out batsman scoring 39 runs from 80 balls including two fours. Wicket-keeper Reinier Kalis added some important runs (22 runs, 55 balls, three fours) and Asief Hoseinbaks (31) was an important contributor down the order, as Netherlands finished on 156 all out in 49.3 overs. James Duckett was the pick of the Jersey bowlers taking three wickets for 26 runs.

Jersey's winning innings centered on the partnership of William Harris who scored 68 runs from 101 balls including nine fours and Ben Ward who scored 62 runs not out from 81 balls including eight fours and one six. Jersey comfortably run out winners by six wickets in 38.1 overs. The pick of the Dutch bowlers was Rens Van Troost who took two wickets for 23 runs.

The Most Valuable Player of the tournament was Scotland's Haris Aslam.

The U19 World Cup takes place in Bangladesh between 22 January and 14 February 2016.