Scotland may need 'external help' for more matches

Scotland, pictured last year, do not have any upcoming fixtures

Head coach Craig Wallace says Scotland might need "external help" to organise more fixtures following their ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier campaign.

The Scots' one-wicket defeat by Ireland on Friday meant they missed out on progress, with captain Kathryn Bryce top scoring in the tournament with 293 runs.

"Looking ahead, it's actually quite challenging for us," said Wallace. "It's disappointing that we currently don't have any fixtures in the diary as it stands.

"At this stage, the next step is unknown. It's really important that we receive more opportunities to play more international cricket as Scotland."

And Wallace added: "We need to find a way organisationally, or more likely with external help, to get some fixtures, because other countries are going to keep improving so we need to do the same to stay with them.

"I know everyone at Cricket Scotland is working really hard behind the scenes to try and make things happen, but the budget pressures aligned with being an associate nation means it's very challenging for us."

Wallace praised his players for "competing with and beating some of the best nations in the world - especially given the lack of support that we do get".

Scotland defeated the West Indies and Thailand but lost to Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as Ireland.

"The squad has improved a lot over the last month and everyone has been playing some exceptional cricket, which we want to keep continuing," he explained.

"The standard across the Qualifier was really high, all the games were really competitive, and for us to be a part of that and contribute to that was hugely pleasing.

"We played some really good cricket in an exciting and attacking style and I'm just so proud of the whole squad."

Switching to England 'always an option' - Bryce

Meanwhile, Bryce says switching allegiance to England is "always an option" but "you never know how you feel until you have to make that decision".

Bryce, who is with Gujarat Giants in India, was player of the tournament in Pakistan and took six wickets across Scotland's five matches.

"It's always an option that's there but the stuff with Scotland has been super exciting recently," Bryce, 27, said of the possibility of turning out for England.

"I guess it will always be lingering on in the background at some point.

"When I started my career, the only way to be a professional cricketer was to play for England. To see the way it's grown and the way The Hundred has taken off and expanded and the investment that's going into all of that, it's just phenomenal."