Slick Saltires hit 163 for highest ever T20 total

Pete Steindl's men went into the latest match of their triangular series on the back of two woeful batting displays. But they hit back to notch their highest-ever T20 total – 163-4 – while Fraser Watts and Kyle Coetzer both smashed the previous best individual score by a Scot.

Their efforts were enough to set up a 56-run victory and raise morale ahead of next week's World Cup qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates.

Delighted coach Steindl said: "We played fast and hard but we were also composed. It was a polished performance and certainly our best T20 display in my time as coach.

"Ryan gave us a good start but the partnership between Kyle and Fraser was key. It shows that if you get a decent total you can control the game. But our bowlers still had to put the ball in good areas and they did that."

The Scots had managed just 109 runs in each of their opening two matches but a stand of 130 between Watts and Coetzer paved the way for a winning total.

The pair came together following the loss of Ryan Watson who set the tone by hitting 16 of his 17 runs in boundaries. Fellow opener Coetzer went on to play the anchor role with a solid 64 from 53 deliveries.

The Durham batsman, patient at first, eventually opened out with three boundaries and three sixes. However, he was upstaged by Carlton batsman Watts who bludgeoned a superb 73 from just 44 deliveries with eight boundaries and three clearances. Both men surpassed the previous best knock by a Scot – Watson's 54 against Kenya two years ago.

Scotland's total would have been higher if the pair had stayed until the end but Watts was caught at backward square leg to be followed by Coetzer just three balls later.

The Saltires bowlers quickly turned the screw to reduce Uganda to 10-3 with Gordon Drummond picking up two scalps and Dewald Nel clean bowling dangerman Arthur Kyobe.

Akbar Baig offered some resistance with 38 before being dismissed by Watson, while Nel and Majid Haq joined Drummond with two wickets.

Steindl's side, who could clinch the triangular series with a big win over Kenya today, warned: "Today was a great step forward but tomorrow will be a true test against a very good Kenya side.

"They were far better than us on Monday but we want to put that right and end this tournament with a win."