Scotland crash Italy’s T20 World Cup party with emphatic win | Cricket News
All-rounder Michael Leask delivered a match-winning performance with a blistering late cameo and a four-wicket haul after opener George Munsey’s attacking half-century powered Scotland to a crushing 73-run win over T20 World Cup debutants Italy in their Group C clash on Monday.Munsey set the platform with a fluent 84 off 54 balls, laced with 14 fours and two sixes, after surviving a reprieve on 41. The left-hander dominated the Italian attack before Leask provided the finishing touches, smashing an unbeaten 22 off the final five balls, including two sixes and two fours off Thomas Draca, as Scotland surged at the Eden Gardens.
Leask then made an immediate impact with the ball, striking off the very first delivery of Italy’s innings and going on to return excellent figures of 4/17. Italy were restricted to 134 for nine in 16.4 overs, with captain Wayne Madsen unable to bat after dislocating his shoulder earlier in the match.With the result, West Indies, Scotland and England occupy the top three positions in Group C, separated only by net run-rate. Scotland have played two matches, while England and West Indies have played one each.Italy’s chase never recovered from an early blow as Justin Mosca fell first ball to Leask. The off-spinner remained at the centre of the action, breaking partnerships and applying pressure through the middle overs.JJ Smuts briefly injected momentum into the innings, hammering 23 runs off Brad Wheal’s third over with a sequence of 6, 4, 6, while Anthony Mosca also struck a big hit. Despite losing three wickets within the first 28 balls, Italy showed resilience through Ben Manenti, who scored 52 off 31 balls to register Italy’s maiden T20 World Cup fifty. He reached the landmark in 29 deliveries, launching Oliver Davidson over midwicket for six.Ben and his brother Harry Manenti (37) added 73 runs from just 46 balls to revive Italy’s hopes, but Leask broke the partnership against the run of play by dismissing Harry. Ben followed soon after, and Leask wrapped up his spell by removing Grant Stewart and Gian-Piero Meade in quick succession.Scotland, meanwhile, had a point to prove after losing to Italy at last July’s European qualifiers — their only defeat in four matches — which had denied them a direct World Cup berth. A late entry into the tournament following Bangladesh’s refusal to play India on security grounds handed Scotland a reprieve, and they made it count in emphatic fashion against their European rivals.Little went Italy’s way beyond winning the toss. Their woes deepened when skipper Madsen injured his left shoulder while diving awkwardly in the fourth over and was later ruled out of the match.Munsey set the tone early, pulling and driving Ali Hasan for consecutive boundaries in the opening over. Italy persisted with short and wide lines, and the aggressive opener made them pay. Dropped on 41 when Anthony Mosca spilled a skier at cover, Munsey raced to his 14th T20 fifty off just 30 balls, bringing it up with a six off Ben Manenti.Michael Jones, initially watchful, soon joined the onslaught as Scotland cruised to 91 without loss at the halfway stage. Munsey grew increasingly destructive before Italy finally claimed their first-ever World Cup wicket in the 14th over, with Grant Stewart dismissing the opener, caught by Harry Manenti at long-on. Jones departed soon after, but Brandon McMullen combined with Leask to ensure Scotland finished with a flourish.
