Play had begun on a bizarre note when Smith, the Scots wicketkeeper and also a policeman, was forced to miss the opening 40 minutes of play after being called to Aberdeen Sheriff Court as a witness. Smith headed for court but soon returned after the hearing was abandoned because the accused had slept in.
– David Kelso, The Scotsman, 16.8.05
Scotland will not retain the ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2005. If you think the Ashes have been close, they had a thriller at Mannofield in Aberdeen yesterday. Scotland needed 135 to win their three-day game against Ireland. They got 131, all out with one over remaining.
Match reports from the Scotsman (Saturday, Sunday, Monday) and Cricket Scotland (Saturday, Sunday, Monday).
Following their washout against Holland a few weeks ago, Scotland cannot win the European Group of the Intercontinental Cup. The European semi-finalist will be decided with the Ireland-Holland match in Belfast on August 23-25.
Kenya and the United Arab Emirates are already through to the final four (semis and final in Namibia in October). The America Group will be decided with all three matches being played in Toronto at the end of this month. Canada are the favourites ahead of Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, the latter being admitted to the tournament after the USA’s sensational ejection last week.