Wright hat-trick sinks Denmark

Scotland bounced back from their disappointing defeat to Holland with a comprehensive 85-run victory over Denmark, sealed by a hat-trick from Craig Wright, in a rain-reduced match at Rotterdam yesterday.

Ryan Watson and Fraser Watts set up an imposing total for Scotland, adding 90 in just 13 overs despite the slow outfield. Watson smashed 66 from 62 balls while Watts crashed an equally aggressive 55 not out, the first half-centuries of the tournament, to take the score to 192 for 6 after 32 overs. Scotland had made a stuttering start to their innings, as Bruce Patterson was trapped in front of his stumps by Thomas Nielsen for 1, and Gregor Maiden and Steve Knox were both dismissed by Henrick Hansen (50 for 3).

Watson and Watts joined eachother at the crease in the 16th over when Colin Smith was out for 11 (76 for 4), and increased the tempo with some excellent running between the wickets, as well as a selection of attacking shots. After Watson fell to Nielsen, Dougie Lockhart was run out for a duck (167 for 6), but Greig Williamson's aggressive cameo kept up the momentum.

In reply, Frederik Klokker played a lone hand with 49 not out, but Denmark were in trouble from the very beginning, when Wright bowled Baljit Singh for a duck. Jesper Hansen and Klokker temporarily steadied the ship, but after Watson removed Hansen the middle order collapsed. Watson and Gregor Maiden picked up three wickets each before Wright mopped up the tail, taking the wickets of Bobby Chawda, Henrick Hansen and Nielsen in successive balls with the score on 107.

Scotland are now on equal points with both Ireland and Holland after the Irish beat Holland in close-fought encounter at Utrecht. The ECB XI leads the table with four points after winning their first two matches.