Related Links : Quadrangular Series in Ireland 2007 : Scorecard
West Indies almost lost their match against minnows Scotland at Dublin but for their Skipper Chris Gayle’s sensible innings. Gayle pulled out West Indies out of a tricky situation to ensure a nervy four-wicket win with just the one ball to spare. Scotland were always in for a chance as the target for Windies was 165 from 180 balls according to the Duckworth Lewis Method.
This match at the Clontarf Cricket Club got off to a delayed start because off rain and a wet outfield. Once it got started with Scotland asked to bat first, there were two more rain breaks which forced the Scotland innings to be of 30 overs. Scotland collected 152 on the board at the loss of 7 wickets with one drop batsman Navdeep Ponia top scoring with 40 from 57 with 6 fours. Neil McCallum and Captain Ryan Watson contributed useful twenties. Fidel Edwards was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 17 in 7 overs which also included two maidens.
Windies got off to a great start from the ever steady Devon Smith and their Captain Chris Gayle who was determined to take his side home. The Scots got their breakthrough only in the 20th over but then the score was already 95 with Devon Smith contributing 32 from 49 with 4 fours. It was from the 24th over that Scotland could create some interest in the game as off spinner Majid Haq came up with four top wickets that got lot of pressure on Gayle and the West Indies. Runako Morton and Lendl Simmons were cleaned up by the offie in consecutive balls that got him in a hat-trick. The hat-trick was denied by Dwayne Smith who sent Majid Haq out of the ground for a six but the rush of blood saw him lose his wicket to the same bowler. West Indies from a position of strength at 95 for 1 were now 133 for 6 in 26.2 overs as they lost debutant Austin Richards cheaply.
Chris Gayle was fortunate to find a responsible and cool partner in all rounder Darren Sammy. And both these batsmen drove their team to victory in the final over with Windies requiring nine to win. Chris Gayle mixed caution with aggression in his 94-ball 85 which had 8 fours and three sixes. Darren Sammy made 18 important runs in 13 balls. Majid Haq had proud figures of 4 for 28 in 6 overs which was instrumental in providing a cracker of a contest on a damp day.
Scotland 152 for 7 in 30.0 Overs (Navdeep Poonia 40 Neil McCallum 27 Ryan Watson 21, Fidel Edwards 2/17 Daren Powell 2/25) lost to West Indies 165 for 6 in 29.5 Overs (Chris Gayle 85* Devon Smith 32 Darren Sammy 18*, Majid Haq 4/28) by four wickets according to the D/L Method.