Scotland are moving close to qualification for next year's men's T20 World Cup in the West Indies & USA after a dominant performance against Italy today in Edinburgh.

Put into bat by Italian captain Gareth Berg, Scotland started in blistering fashion with George Munsey and Ollie Hairs scoring 55 from the first five overs. Munsey fell for 12 from the first ball of the sixth over, but that didn't slow Scotland down as Hairs and Brandon McMullen both went on to make big scores.

Hairs brought up a century from only 40 balls - one ball faster than the previous record for fastest T20I century by a Scotland player held by George Munsey - and the pair added 183 before McMullen was out for 96 one over from the end of the innings. Hairs finished the innings unbeaten on 127 from 53 balls, equalling Munsey's record for the highest T20I score for Scotland. Their final total was 245-2.

Grant Stewart scored a quick 41 from 21 balls in the Italian reply, but nobody else made double figures as they were bowled out for 90, losing by 155 runs. Gavin Main was the pick of the Scottish bowlers with 5-26.

Over at Goldenacre, Austria were put into bat by Denmark and were kept to 97-9 from their 20 overs. Nicolaj Laegsgaard was the leading wicket taker with 4-19, whilst Saud Munir took 3-17.

Denmark lost Laegsgaard Taranjit Singh early in their reply but were otherwise untroubled as Abdul Hashmi and Saif Ahmad scored an unbroken 84 for the third wicket to secure the eight wicket win. Hashmi scored 30 whilst Ahmad contributed 53.

With wins over the two teams thought to be best placed to challenge Ireland and Scotland, Scotland are now well placed to book their tickets to the T20 World Cup. They take on Austria in their next match, tomorrow morning at Goldenacre. Italy play Denmark over at the Grange in the morning, whilst Germany come up against Jersey in the afternoon match there.