George Munsey delivered an impressive half-century and formed a solid hundred-run opening partnership with Michael Jones, helping Scotland cruise to a comfortable 73-run victory over newcomers Italy in their T20 World Cup encounter in Kolkata on Monday.
Munsey smashed 84 runs from 54 deliveries while Jones added 37 from 30 balls, with the pair building a fantastic 126-run opening stand that set Scotland up for a commanding total of 207 for 4.
When Italy came out to chase, they displayed great fighting spirit. Ben Manenti blasted an exciting 31-ball 52, and his brother Harry chipped in with 37 runs as they put together a solid 73-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Despite their brave effort, Italy’s lack of experience showed as they were dismissed for 134 in just 16.4 overs.
Scotland’s off-spinner Michael Leask was the star with the ball, claiming an excellent 4 wickets for just 17 runs to dismantle Italy’s batting lineup.
TOSS
Italy won the toss and chose to bowl first.
PLAYING XI
Scotland (Playing XI):
George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington(c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross(w), Mark Watt, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, Brad Wheal, Brad Currie
Italy (Playing XI):
Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Wayne Madsen(c), Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Gian Meade(w), Grant Stewart, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan, Thomas Draca
SCOTLAND
After being put in to bat, George Munsey took charge during the PowerPlay, getting lucky with a few fortunate edges early on before settling into his rhythm. Munsey powered his way to eight boundaries within the PowerPlay, while his opening partner Michael Jones was content to play the supporting role and rotate the strike. Italy’s troubles grew worse when they lost Madsen, and things got even more frustrating when Anthony Mosca put down a catch off Munsey on the final ball of the PowerPlay.
Basically, Munsey kept attacking the same way and reached fifty runs in just 30 balls by hitting a six in the eighth over. Basically the opening partnership kept doing the same good work, with Jones also hitting a couple of boundaries. The 126-run partnership surely came to an end in the 14th over when Munsey was dismissed at long-on off Grant Stewart’s delivery. Moreover, this breakthrough proved crucial for the bowling side after the batsmen had built a strong foundation. As per the match details, Jones left the field in the next over regarding his batting performance when he was just starting to play well.
Further, the wickets actually did not slow down Scotland, as Brandon McMullen definitely started by hitting two big sixes off Crishan Kalugamage. That over decided how the death overs would go, and as per Scotland’s strong finish, they scored 207/4 regarding the final total after the last over gave away 22 runs, despite Hasan Ali bowling tight in the 19th over with only four runs and one wicket.
ITALY-
Italy’s batting started badly when Justin Mosca got out on the first ball itself, which further damaged their chase. Basically, JJ Smuts hit three sixes and one four against Brad Wheal in the third over, but Brad Currie got him out in the same next over. Anthony Mosca got out in the fifth over and Italy was struggling at three wickets down, but Harry Manenti hit a four and six to take the score further to 54/3 after the PowerPlay itself.
The Manenti brothers made a 73-run partnership to help Italy build their score in the middle overs, as per which Ben reached his fifty in 29 balls during the 14th over. They surely hit six fours and four sixes together to keep Azzurri in the match. Moreover, their innings collapsed quickly when both players got out in back-to-back overs.
Basically, Michael Leask took two more wickets in the 15th over and finished with 4/17, doing the same damage that made Italy’s batting collapse completely. Since Madsen actually could not bat, the game definitely finished when Thomas Draca and Ali Hasan got out in the 17th and 18th overs. All nine Italian batters were actually caught out, and Munsey definitely took four catches.
Brief Scores:
Scotland actually scored 207 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs, with George Munsey making 84 runs and Brandon McMullen scoring 41 runs. Italy definitely lost all their wickets for only 134 runs in 16.4 overs, so Scotland won by 73 runs.
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