Ella Claridge put in a Player of the Match performance as the USA kick-started their T20 World Cup Qualifier campaign with a four-wicket win over Namibia.

Claridge produced two stumpings as the USA restricted Namibia to 144-6 in Kathmandu, before reeling off a scintillating 51-ball 70 to tee up a four-wicket win with four balls to spare.

Taking to the field first after the USA won the toss, she partnered with Saanvi Immadi to see off Merczerly Gorases, before ensuring Yasmeen Khan suffered the same fate off Tara Norris.

Norris was the pick of the American bowlers, returning 3/34, while Isani Vaghela claimed 2/15 from three overs, with Khan’s 74 from 47 balls the standout high score.

Claridge then came to the crease at number three in the third over with the score 15-1, and immediately added 43 with Chetna Pagydyala to begin to speed the chase along.

Her knock included ten fours and a six, and was backed up by an important 21 off 10 from Ritu Singh as the USA bounced back from an opening-match loss to Bangladesh.

The 23-year-old reached her half-century in 44 balls, and although she fell in the penultimate over with four still required, Tara Norris struck the winning single to see the USA over the line.

Elsewhere, a partnership of 52 between Kathryn and Sarah Bryce was narrowly not enough for Scotland, who fell short by seven runs against the Netherlands in their first match.

Driven by Sterre Kalis’ 87 not out from 60 balls, the Dutch side had posted 157-6, in spite of Kathryn’s 1/34, with the latter’s wicket coming thanks to a stumping by her sister.

Rachel Slater was the pick of the Scottish bowlers with 3/24, but in spite of Kathryn top scoring with 42 and Sarah adding 30, Scotland mustered only 150-5.

Claridge and the Bryce sisters are both next in action on Thursday, with the USA facing Zimbabwe in Group A and Scotland squaring off against Thailand in Group B.

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