Thailand Women are now on the brink of reaching their first ever Cricket World Cup as they defeated Ireland by two runs in a thrilling finish to their match in the T20 Qualifier being held in Scotland. Thailand and Ireland had both won their first two matches in Group B and the winner of today’s match would top the group and face the second placed side from the other group.
Thailand had beaten Ireland twice in the recent competition in the Netherlands on their way to a record 17 successive victories but Ireland had taken part in the last three T20 World Cups and won the toss in a contest eventually reduced to 17 overs aside. Thailand were undaunted by batting first in gloomy and cold conditions as they passed fifty with only one wicket down at a rate of six runs an over. as Naruemol Chaiwai and Nannapat Khoncharoenka both batted confidently.
Wickets fell as Thailand tried to post a total of more than a hundred but Ireland took some good catches in the field. Captain Sornnarin Tippoch stayed to the end of the innings to see her side to 92 for 7 in 17 overs. The match was in the balance at the halfway stage but Thailand took control with early wickets from Nattaya Boochcatham and Chanida Sutthiruang before Suleeporn Laomi produced some magic with her leg-spin. Ireland were 37 for 5 in nine overs and surely Thailand were on the way to a momentous victory.
The tide turned as Eimear Richardson hit four boundaries and the normally exemplary Thai fielders began to look nervous. But the captain was there to calm the nerves as she had Richardson stumped for 21 and suddenly it was Ireland that began to panic. Chanida and Suleeporn each took their third wickets but it was left to Onnicha Kamchomphu to bowl the final over with eight runs needed. Two were needed from the last ball to force a super-over but Nannapat claimed her third stumping to seal a famous victory for Thailand.
Thailand have now won all three matches in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier to head their group but they will have to wait to see if they will face Bangladesh, Scotland or PNG in the semi-final. One more victory will see Thailand on their way to Australia to take part in the next Women’s T20 World Cup in February next year.
Thursday 5th September could be another landmark day in the history of Thailand cricket.
