Scotland have beaten Oman in quick time today in Antigua to give themselves a big net run rate boost, which may well help them stay ahead of England when the first round finishes.

Oman captain Aqib Ilyas won the toss and chose to bat first at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and scored 150-7 from their 20 overs. Pratik Athavale's 54 was their top score, whilst Ayaan Khan's unbeaten 41 from 39 balls also played a key role.

George Munsey clubbed 41 from 20 balls to start Scotland's run chase, but the real acceleration happened after the drinks break. Scotland were 110-3 from ten overs at that point, and Brandon McMullen and Matthew Cross began playing more aggresively.

Eight runs came from the 11th over, 11 from the 12th and then 20 came from the 13th over as Scotland closed in on their target. Brandon McMullen pulled a short ball through square leg for four to secure the seven wicket win with 41 balls to spare.

The rapid nature of the chase means that Scotland have a huge net run rate advantage as they head into the business end of the first round. If the remaining games go as the form book would suggest, Australia would top of the group unbeaten with Scotland and England level on five points. Scotland would have the added advantage of playing Australia in the last match of the group and knowing exactly what they need to do to qualify.

That assumes everything goes to the form book though, which in this tournament has often not been the case. And Scotland's recent habit of bringing the rain everywhere they go would help right now - a washout for either England or Scotland will eliminate England and qualify the Scots.