T20 World Cup 2022, SCO vs IRE: Curtis Campher's all-round masterclass stuns Scotland 

Dockrell-Campher partnership stole the show [Source: Twitter]

The seventh Group stage encounter of the ongoing T20 World Cup witnessed Ireland thwack Scotland by six wickets at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Ireland have kept their Super 12 qualification hopes alive with this miraculous victory.

Michael Jones' fireworks propel Scotland to 176

After opting to bat first, Scotland suffered an early blow, as veteran opener George Munsey was trapped in front of the stumps by Mark Adair in the second over. However, Michael Jones and Matthew Cross (28 off 21) steadied the ship for Scotland, adding 59 runs in 42 balls for the second wicket. 

After Cross fell prey to Curtis Campher in the ninth over, skipper Richie Berrington supported Jones in the middle with distinction, stitching a match-winning 77-run stand off just 48 balls. Before being Campher's second victim, Berrington hammered three fours and one six for his 27-ball 37.

Michael Jones played a scintillating knock [Source: Twitter]

The fall of Berrington couldn't affect Jones one bit, as he kept the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace, supported by Michael Leask at the other end. His magnificent 86-run knock, glittered with six fours and four sixes, was vital in powering Scotland to a healthy total of 176 runs at the end of 20 overs. Jones recorded the highest individual score by a Scotland batter in T20 World Cup history in this process. 

Andrew Balbirnie's decision of not completing Curtis Campher's quota of four overs, despite the latter recording the best figures with the ball from Ireland, surprised many. While Campher scalped two wickets, Joshua Little and Mark Adair claimed one wicket each. 

Dockrell-Campher heroics seize the day for Ireland

In response, Ireland got off to a disastrous start, losing their stalwarts Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie cheaply. Although Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker tried to consolidate the Irish innings, their efforts were neutralised by Mark Watt, who got rid of Tucker in the ninth over. Things went further downhill for Ireland, as they lost Tector in the very next over to Michael Leask. 

However, the dynamic duo of Curtis Campher and George Dockrell ensured a tremendous fightback for Ireland, adding 119 runs for the fifth wicket. While Dockrell played a useful knock of 39 runs, Campher blasted his way through to a 32-ball 73*. 

Their sensational hitting didn't go in vain, as Ireland eventually went over the line with one over to spare. 

Brief Scores

Scotland: 176/5 (20)
Michael Jones 86 (55), Richie Berrington 37 (27);
Curtis Campher 2/9 (2), Mark Adair 1/23 (4)

Ireland: 180/4 (19)
Curtis Campher 73* (32), George Dockrell 39* (27);
Michael Leask 1/16 (2), Brad Wheal 1/25 (4)

Ireland won by six wickets.

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