A career-best 114 from Matthew Cross powered Scotland to a convincing 73-run win in their World Cup qualifier clash with United Arab Emirates.

The Saltires kicked off their Super Six campaign in style with a commanding win which puts them in a strong position to qualify for the final ahead of next year's World Cup.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, it was a welcome return to form for Scotland who have struggled to post big scores in the early stages of the tournament.

Cross in particular had been struggling, having failed to pass 18 in his four knocks so far, but was back in form as Scotland posted a mammoth 322 for six.

Kyle Coetzer made a breezy 43 before he was dismissed, but Cross combined with Calum MacLeod (78) for a 161-run stand for the second wicket to put Scotland in a strong position.

The two pressed the accelerator going into the final 10 overs as Scotland put on 121 in the final 11 overs, but it was Cross who anchored the innings brilliantly in his 135-ball knock, which included four sixes.

Richie Berrington and Harry Munsey helped boost the total above the 300 mark with late cameos as UAE suffered in the field.

Despite making a positive start in reply, their challenge quickly subsided as Scotland made inroads.

Brad Wheal and Chris Sole took three wickets for two runs to leave their opponents 64 for three, and from there they were unable to find a way back.

Muhammad Usman made a quickfire 80 before becoming one of Sole's four victims, and despite recovering from 117 for six to be bowled out for 249, they were never likely to chase down Scotland's total.

Sole finished with four for 68 as Scotland eventually clinched the 73-run win and move top of the table following West Indies' defeat to Afghanistan.

England, meanwhile, will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and one T20 international on their tour of Sri Lanka later this year, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced.

The ECB said the team would arrive in Colombo on October 1 ahead of an ODI series starting on October 10 and finishing on October 23.

That will be followed by the one-off T20 match on October 27 before the Test series gets under way on November 6 in Galle.

The second Test will take place in Kandy from November 14, with the final Test starting on November 23 in Colombo.