Cricket: Muir helps young Scots begin European defence strongly

Grange batsman Zander Muir led the way with 71 as Scotland under-15s got the defence of the European Championships off to a winning start in Utrecht.

Scotland won the toss and decided to bat against Jersey and were indebted to the half century from Muir, an Edinburgh Academy pupil who is a member of the Eastern Academy, and 40 from West of Scotland's Andrew Umeed.

Those runs helped them post 215-8 from their 45 overs with John Donaldson taking four wickets for Jersey.

The Jersey reply was stop start due to various rain intervals, but the Scots always had them in trouble as they chased 153 to win off 32 overs. They were bowled out for just 78 in just over 29 overs, but worryingly for the bowlers 45 of those runs were extras. Scotland know they will have to tighten up over the rest of the week and were due to take on Ireland in Deventer today.