Scotland Set to Shine at ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy
Scotland is gearing up for an exciting chapter in women's cricket as the inaugural ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy kicks off in Thailand. For seam bowler Rachel Slater, this tournament isn’t just another competition—it’s a massive opportunity to give Scotland a boost as they eye qualification for next year’s T20 World Cup in England. The event brings together eight of the top associate nations, giving these teams a rare chance to play competitive cricket outside the high-pressure environment of global qualifiers.
Slater, who has taken 28 wickets and scored 172 runs since her debut in 2022, expressed her excitement about the tournament. She highlighted how valuable it is for Scotland to play consistent cricket leading up to the World Cup qualifiers. “Usually, we go away for a few weeks and then don’t see each other for seven, eight, nine months,” she said. “It’ll be nice to have games leading into the qualifiers, instead of coming off long breaks with no cricket.”
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Before this tournament, Scotland had not played a match since their 50-over World Cup hopes were ended by Ireland in Lahore earlier this year. In preparation, the team played warm-up matches against Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and Namibia, with Slater earning player-of-the-match honors in the latter two games. She emphasized how associate teams often struggle with fewer fixtures compared to full-member nations, making tournaments like this crucial for development.
The Scottish squad features a mix of players with professional county deals in England, including Slater with Yorkshire. Despite limited opportunities to play together, Scotland has shown strong performances on the international stage, having reached the last T20 World Cup in the Middle East and beaten West Indies in a 50-over qualifier earlier this year. Slater believes the Emerging Nations Trophy will add purpose to training and consistency to their preparation.
On the opening day of the tournament, Scotland delivered a solid performance against Uganda, defending a total of 115 to secure a 15-run victory. Darcey Carter starred with an unbeaten 54, while Megan McColl contributed a crucial 32 runs. Abtaha Maqsood and Priyanaz Chatterji led the bowling attack with two wickets each, helping Scotland take an important first step in the competition. Elsewhere, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Tanzania also claimed victories in their respective matches, setting the stage for an exciting tournament.
As Scotland heads into the rest of the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, the team is optimistic. Cold-weather training camps and team bonding activities in Edinburgh have helped players stay connected and focused, keeping the competitive spirit alive even during long gaps between fixtures. For Slater and her teammates, this trophy represents more than just cricket—it’s a chance to showcase their talent, strengthen the squad, and build momentum toward the T20 World Cup.
The Emerging Nations Trophy promises to be a game-changer for Scotland, providing them with the platform, preparation, and confidence needed to compete at the highest level of women’s cricket.
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