Huntly cricketer Ailsa Lister helps Scotland's 'Wildcats' women's international team edge closer to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023
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THE dream of playing for Scotland at a cricket world cup has edged closer for Huntly teenager Ailsa Lister.
For the 17-year-old was part of her country's 'Wildcats' squad who have reached the final qualifying stage for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023.
Scotland won all four matches in their Europe qualifiers in La Manga, Spain, and will be one of eight countries battling it out at the global qualifers next year for the final two places in the World Cup.
Lister only made her Scotland Wildcats senior debut earlier this year, playing in all four tour matches of a series in Ireland.
The Stoneywood-Dyce men's team player had been chosen for three previous tours, two of which were cancelled due to Covid-19 and another postponed because of the weather.
The product of Huntly Cricket Club was selected for Scotland's 14-strong team competing against Netherlands, Ireland, Germany and France in Murcia in the past week.
Lister wasn't selected for the first two matches, where Scotland beat the Dutch by six wickets then edged out Ireland with just six balls to spare on Saturday.
The Huntly youngster was picked as Scotland wicket keeper in Sunday's third match against Germany, claiming a catch for the opening German wicket as the Scots bowled their opponents out for 36.
Lister didn't even need to bat, as Scotland's opening pair surpassed the German total without loss in just 29 balls.
Finally, Scotland bowled out France for 24 and took 14 balls to score the 25 needed to claim victory in a match where Lister was not selected.
The Wildcats will take on the winners of the Americas, Asia, Africa and EAP (East Asia-Pacific) qualifiers, along with three other countries at the final qualifying stage next year, at a venue yet to be decided.
