By Milly McEvoy, Sportsbeat

Pippa Sproul believes fearless and fun cricket will help Scotland make it out of their ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup group despite an opening defeat to Australia.

Scotland were put into bat by the 2023 semi-finalists and were bowled out for 48 in 15.1 overs with Australia taking 6.4 overs to knock off the target for a nine-wicket victory.

Australia’s squad includes players with plenty of Women’s Big Bash League experience, including Caoimhe Bray who took three for one on her World Cup debut.

“It was so exciting, we all said we had loads of fun even though it was really tough going against Australia,” Sproul, who plays her cricket for Hampshire.

“It was such an amazing atmosphere, all the Scottish fans were really happy to see us on the pitch and cheering us on, which was exciting to see.

“We could hear all the bagpipes and we were blasting out the anthem as well which was really cool.

“It obviously could have gone a bit better, but I think there were definitely a lot of positives like taking a wicket in the powerplay and putting them under a bit of pressure.

“I feel like we could have scored a few more boundaries but we still tried to be really fearless and look attack the ball which is definitely a really good sign looking forward to Bangladesh and Nepal.”

Emma Walsingham top-scored for Scotland with 12 as Bray and Eleanor Larosa took three wickets apiece.

In reply, Australia made a fast start, scoring 20 runs off Mollie Parker’s first over before Ammy Baldie and Nayma Sheikh applied the squeeze.

Sheikh took Scotland’s first wicket of the World Cup with wicket-keeper Sproul providing the stumping of Ines McKeon.

Sproul, who qualifies for Scotland through her father, will hope to continue that form in the side’s next game against Nepal on Monday.

The 16-year-old added: “We expect them to be really strong, they have qualified for a reason.

“All the teams are here are really good so I am sure they will bring a lot of fight to the game but hopefully we can rise above them and bring our own passion.

“It would mean so much to get a win in the group stage, Scotland Women didn’t get out the group in their first World Cup either so it would be great to the first female team to get into the Super Six and we’d also get to play lots more matches.

“It would definitely mean so much to us and we will try and give it our all in our last two games and hopefully that will get us through.”