Scotland boost World Cup hopes

Scotland improved their chances of World Cup qualification by defeating Kenya on Duckworth-Lewis in a match that was completed on the reserve day due to poor weather. The win moved them above Netherlands into second place in the ICC's WCL Championship, with the top two teams gaining automatic World Cup spots for 2015.

After a nail-biting 12-run victory on Sunday, Scotland's second win over Kenya was just as close but under very different circumstances. Captain Kyle Coetzer made a half-century before another rain interruption meant Scotland's target was revised down to 139 from 35 overs. They got there with eight balls to spare but not without a few scares on the way.

After Tuesday's rain delay, the match continued with Scotland openers Coetzer and Freddie Coleman on 22-0 chasing 184 for victory, Kenya having been reliant on Tanmay Mishra's 59 to give them a competitive total. However, what looked to be a straightforward task became a little harder when Coetzer was bowled for 57 by one that kept low. Three of the top four were bowled under their bat, and Matt Machan was caught at mid-off trying to accelerate the run-rate.

The flurry of wickets gave Kenya hope but with the fall of Calum MacLeod, leaving Scotland 106 for 4, the rain started to fall again. Scotland were ahead by nine runs after 28.2 overs on D/L. When the players came off at 1.20pm, everyone thought that was it but just over an hour later the covers and sheets were removed with the rain still falling lightly. By 2.45pm, the players were back out and the rain had stopped.

Calculations were made, leaving Scotland needing another 33 runs off 40 balls with their remaining six wickets. Some thought it was safe and some thought it was madness to return with a damp outfield but Scotland nerves grew when Preston Mommsen was caught behind after managing only 5, the requirement having risen to 22 off the final four overs.

Rob Taylor didn't hang about as he hit a quickfire 16 off eight balls, including a maximum off Ragheb Aga into the sight screen that just about saw Scotland home. He was caught trying to hit the winning runs but two more singles wrapped up victory by four wickets.

Kenya's innings began the day previously, with Scotland winning the toss and electing to field. Duncan Allan opened the batting for Kenya after being left out of the side for the previous game but could only make 18. His partner, Alex Obanda, was trapped lbw by Neil Carter for the second time in as many matches.

Carter also got rid of Morris Ouma and Kenya's captain Collins Obuya, in at No. 4 and playing his 100th ODI, spooned a leading edge to midwicket for 25. That was to be the second-highest score of the innings and the last boundary came in the 27th over, as Scotland bowled tight lines and fielded well on long boundaries. Mishra was again the only player to offer a decent tally as he scored his second consecutive fifty but Kenya were bowled out with 21 balls to spare.

Netherlands, who play WCL Championship leaders Ireland in two crucial qualifiers next week in Amstelveen, are a point behind Scotland in third, while fourth-placed Afghanistan can make up the four-point gap when they play Namibia next month. Scotland have played 12 games, two games more than the rest, and have to take on Ireland in the final round of fixtures in September. Kenya, in fifth, cannot finish in the top two but will seek a measure of revenge in the first of two T20s in Aberdeen on Thursday.