
LEICESTER, MAY 27: The West Indies steamrollered past hapless Scotland by eight wickets in one of the shortest matches in World Cup history to post their third victory and keep good pace for a place in the Super Six stage.
Veteran Courtney Walsh led the Caribbean pace assault by capturing three for seven runs in an incredible seven-over spell as debutants Scotland were bundled out for the second lowest World Cup total of 68 in just 31.3 overs.
Left-handers Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, who hit up 30 not out opening the innings, and skipper Brian Lara 25 not out then made shortwork of the rival attack to hit up 70 for two in just 10.1 overs to complete the formality before lunch break.
The victory has left the Caribbeans, steadily showing ominous form after their 27-run defeat to Pakistan in the opener, with six points ahead of their crucial tie against Australia on May 30 at Old Trafford.
The brave Scots chose to bat first, but had no clue what hit them from then on as only the Yorkshire professional Gavin Hamilton with an unbeaten 24 and tail-ender Asim Butt 11, who hit paceman Reon King for a six to raise cheer, managing to reach the 8220;magical8217; double figures.
Scotland can take some heart that they managed to go past the lowest one-day total 8212; 43 by Pakistan against South Africa 8212; and the lowest World Cup tally of 45 by Canada against England in 1979 before losing their fourth straight tie.
Walsh returned amazing figures of 7-1-7-3 while his pace partner Curtly Ambrose was even more miserly 10-4-8-2 with Hendy Bryan 2/29 and Reon King 2/9 joining the fun.
SCOREBOARD
SCOTLAND
JE Brinkley c Simmons b Walsh 2
AG Davies lbw b Walsh 0
JAR Blain lbw b Bryan 3
Asim Butt c Williams b King 11
NR Dyer c Williams b King 0
Extras w9, nb3 12
Total all out, 31.3 overs 68
Fall of wickets: 1-6 Smith, 5.6, 2-18 Allingham, 14.2, 3-20 Stanger, 15.5, 4-20 Salmond, 16.2, 5-25 Williamson, 20.3, 6-29 Brinkley, 21.4, 7-29 Davies, 21.6, 8-47 Blain, 28.2, 9-67 Asim Butt, 31.2, 10-68 Dyer, 31.3.
Bowling: Ambrose 10-4-8-2 1nb, 1w; Simmons 7-1-15-1 4w; Walsh 7-1-7-3 1nb, 1w; Bryan 6-0-29-2 3w; King 1.3-0-9-2 1nb.
WEST INDIES
PV Simmons c Stanger b Blain 7
S Chanderpaul not out 30
SC Williams lbw b Blain 0
BC Lara not out 25
Extras lb2, w4, nb2 8
Total 2 wickets, 10.1 overs 70
Fall of wickets: 1-21 Simmons, 4.5, 2-22 Williams, 6.1.
Bowling: Blain 5.1-0-36-2 1nb, 2w; Asim Butt 4-1-15-0 1nb, 1w; Hamilton 1-0-17-0 1w.
Result: West Indies win by eight wickets.