T20 World Cup Europe qualifier: Scotland thrash Austria thanks to George Munsey's 132

Berrington was almost as fluent as Munsey and his 40 off 19 balls helped Scotland set a daunting target

George Munsey made a blistering 132 as Scotland thrashed Austria by 166 runs in Edinburgh to move a step closer to qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Munsey hit 15 fours and six sixes in a 61-ball exhibition that is the highest T20 international score by a Scotsman.

Michael Leask took three wickets as Austria limped to 66 all out.

Scotland's fourth consecutive win takes them top of the seven-team standings, ahead of Ireland on net run rate, with the top two qualifying for the finals.

Germany, the only side who could realistically catch Richie Berrington's side, lost to Jersey by 51 runs later on Tuesday to put the Scots on the brink of qualification.

Germany now play Ireland on Thursday at the same time as Scotland take on Denmark in their penultimate match.

If Scotland win one of their two remaining games they will secure qualification and even if they lose both matches Germany or Italy would need to triumph in both of theirs and dramatically improve their net run rate.

Scotland's last game is against Ireland, ranked two places above them at 12th in the world, in what is likely to be a game to decide who takes the trophy rather than who goes forward to the finals.

Berrington's men went into the Austria game 24 hours after a handsome victory against Italy that followed a rain-affected win over Germany and a tight 14-run success against Jersey.

Oli Hairs was the star of the Italy victory, equalling Munsey's previous highest T20 score with an unbeaten 127, but this time he made just 23 in an opening partnership of 96 before being caught on the boundary.

Munsey continued to dispatch the Austria bowlers to all parts of the Goldenacre ground, with his reverse sweep especially productive as he reached his second T20 international century off 50 balls.

A single down the ground took Munsey to the new record of 128 before he was out lbw reverse sweeping.

Brandon McMullen struggled for fluency with 28 off 29 balls but Berrington impressed with 40 off 19 to help Scotland set Austria a daunting target of scoring at 11.65 an over to reach 233.

Austria were clearly intent on trying to make a credible score rather than chasing their unlikely target and off-spinner Leask was the pick of the bowlers as Scotland cruised to victory.

Chris Greaves, Gavin Main and Safyaan Sharif took two wickets apiece while only Jaweed Sadran reached double figures among Austria's batters.

"Oli set the standard for this week the way he batted yesterday, which was fantastic," said Munsey.

"We have had a really good environment for a long time now - really relaxed but professional. We're in a good place.

"Different players have been standing up with match-winning performances and that's really special to be a part of. We've got full belief in the 15 guys in the squad and there are a few just outside too."

The T20 World Cup will be staged in the United States and West Indies in June next year, when England will attempt to defend the title they won last November.

Scotland face Denmark on Thursday, with all of the action live on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer.

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