ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Region Qualifier 2023, the Europe region qualifier for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, has started in an interesting way. Ireland, the only ICC Full Member in this competition, just secured a seven-run win in their tournament opener against Italy.
Ireland vs Italy: Ireland won by 7 runs, Curtis Campher was the hero
After Italy sent the Irish team to bat first at Edinburgh (Golden) on Thursday (20 July), Ireland lost their first three batters for only 46 runs, where only the opener Andy Balbirnie reached the double-digit score (26). Another opener Paul Stirling (2), and the no.3 batter Lorcan Tucker (8) were dismissed cheaply in that innings.
Then Harry Tector and Curtis Campher set up a crucial 76-run partnership for the fourth wicket. While Tector scored 41 off 31 balls (three fours and two sixes), Campher smashed 61 runs in 39 balls (five fours and three sixes).
But after that fourth wicket partnership was broken, only George Dockrell (12) managed the double-digit figure as Ireland scored 158/8 in 20 overs.
Among the Italian bowlers, Gareth Berg (3/24) and Harry Manenti (3/39) got three wickets each.
In reply, Italy lost their first four wickets in only 41 runs. However, the lower middle-order batters Gian-Piero Meade (26), Jaspreet Singh (21) and captain Gareth Berg (26) fought hard to put the team in the game.
In the final over of the match, Italy had to score 20 runs to win. Despite starting the over with two consecutive fours, the Italian side finished the game with 151/9 in 20 overs.
After hard work, Paul Stirling-led Irish team won the match by seven runs. It was an important win for the Ireland team. While Mark Adair bagged three wickets (3/33), Josh Little (2/29) and Ben White (2/22) got two wickets each.
Campher, who scored vital 61 runs, also had the bowling figures 3-0-19-1 as he won the Player of the Match award for incredible all-round performances.
Austria vs Jersey: Jersey chased 105 runs target in 9.2 overs
On the other hand, Jersey thrashed Austria by eight wickets (with 64 balls remaining) in the tournament opener.
Jersey chose to field first after winning the toss at Edinburgh. Austria only managed to score 104/9 in 20 overs, where the captain Razmal Shigiwal (16) scored the highest runs.
Among the Jersey bowlers, Julius Sumerauer (2/17), captain Charles Perchard (2/22) and Nick Greenwood (2/10) all got two wickets each.
In chasing, Jersey took only 9.2 overs to reach the target. Chasing down 100+ runs in a men’s T20I match, it was the joint seventh fastest successful chase.
After picking up two wickets, Greenwood also scored 50 not out in 27 balls (eight fours and only six) as he won the Player of the Match award.
Scotland vs Germany: Scotland scored 200+ runs to beat the German side in the rain-interrupted game
Later, on the same day, the hosts Scotland outclassed Germany by 72 runs (DLS method) at Edinburgh. After Germany chose to field first, Scotland scored 234/5 in 20 overs.
Scottish opener Ollie Hairs (73 runs in 36 balls; eight fours and five sixes) and captain Richie Berrington (60 runs in 31 balls; six fours and three sixes) batted powerfully, while Michael Leask (38 not out in 14 balls; three fours and three sixes) had a strong cameo at the end.
Sahir Naqash (2/44) was the only German bowler to collect more than one wicket in the game.
In reply, when Germany scored 33/1 in 5.3 overs, rain interrupted the game. Later, the German team got the DLS target of 138 runs in 11 overs.
Germany ultimately scored 65/7 in 11 overs. Opener Joshua van Heerden (17) scored the highest runs in that innings.
Scottish bowlers Mark Watt (2/12), Safyaan Sharif (2/9) and Gavin Main (2/8) got two wickets each in that innings. Opener Ollie Hairs received the Player of the Match award for his powerful batting.
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