BELFAST // The final of the World Cup qualifiers proved to be an anti-climax as rain prevented any play to be possible immediately after the toss. Though the rains were not heavy, the skies were very cloudy and dark. That put the finalists, the hosts Ireland and Netherlands, as the joint owners of the winning trophy. Earlier, the Scotland captain Ryan Watson smashed a career-best half-century to help his team pick up the bonus third slot at the next year's Twenty20 World Cup with a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Kenya at Stormont.
The Saltires' dreams appeared to be fading after semi-final defeat to Holland but Watson and Durham ace Kyle Coetzer had other ideas as they salvaged a place at the last attempt. The Zimbabwe-born player hit 54 off 61 balls while Coetzer chipped in with an unbeaten 48 as the Scots chased down Kenya's mediocre total of 106 with 11 balls to spare. Dewald Nel was the pick of the Scottish bowlers, taking three for 10 to leave Ragheb Aga's quickfire 28 off 25 balls a consolation.
Scotland benefited from the extra place after Zimbabwe decided to pull out though the board are yet to ratify the decision. * PA Sport