Scotland overcome Jyoti and Barnett
Sandeep Jyoti's 47 and a stalwart's innings from Geoff Barnett nearly took Canada to an impressive and unlikely win on the third day against Scotland at Aberdeen, but Callum MacLeod and the rest of his side held their nerve to record a 29-run win
Cricinfo staff
04-Jul-2009
Scotland 185 and 199 (Stander 64, Cheema 3-39) beat Canada 142 and 213 (Jyoti 47, Keshvani 34, Barnett 31) by 29 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
Sandeep Jyoti's 47 and a stalwart's innings from Geoff Barnett nearly took Canada to an impressive and unlikely win on the third day against Scotland at Aberdeen, but Callum MacLeod and the rest of his side held their nerve to record a 29-run win in the first match of the 2009-10 ICC Intercontinental Cup.
Canada were set 243 to win after Scotland's innings ended on 199 yesterday evening, and the home side continued their dominance of the match by picking up four early wickets. Jan Stander, whose 64 yesterday was so crucial, had Trevor Bastiampillai caught in the slips, as was Qaiser Ali who edged Callum MacLeod for just 3. When Sunil Dhaniram offered a simple return catch to the economical Richie Berrington, Canada had stumbled to 60 for 4.
But a renaissance took place between Jyoti and Khurram Chohan, the pair putting on 64 for the fifth wicket. With plenty of time left to reach their target, caution was the watchword for both players, but Jyoti did seize on anything too full, driving Berrington for a handsome four through the covers and hammering MacLeod through the same region, this time off the back foot.
Jyoti was much less assured against Mo Iqbal, however, edging a classical legspinner's delivery straight to first slip to hand Scotland back the momentum. Barnett found support from Ashif Mulla (27) with a stand of 42, and put on a ninth-wicket stand of 23 with Shaheed Keshvani as Canada's dressing room all began to cheer in support, anticipating an unlikely victory.
With the excitement came tail-end nerves, however, and a horrible mix-up between the pair cost Keshvani his wicket, run out by a combination of Berrington, Haq and Ryan Watson. Forty-five runs were required; one wicket remained. Henry Osinde did what he does best, smashing Haq for a six, but MacLeod returned with the old ball and produced a pearler that left Barnett late, clipping his off stump, to record a very tense Scotland win.
