Bad weather caused havoc to the Europe Division Two T20 fixtures in Stockholm last week. The Isle of Man returned with a total of four points, just a couple of points behind Sweden who were promoted to Division One along with champions Germany.
The Island played their first match on Wednesday morning when they faced tournament favourites Germany. They knocked up 166 for 8 with Asad Mohammad making 32 from 10 balls and Khaled Khan 28 from 18 deliveries. Akkie van den Berg took 3 for 32, Kieran Cawte 2 -24 while keeper Adam Killey shone with two smart stumpings and a catch.
In reply the Manx were soon in trouble at 7 for 2 and struggled all the way against tight German bowling. Mudassar Muhammad returned 3 for 15 and Ahamed Wardak’s four overs cost only 6 runs. The Manx ended on 66 with Danny Kniveton making 16 and Phil Littlejohns 15.
After that loss by one hundred runs, the Island showed great spirit and determination to bounce back in the afternoon with an excellent nine wicket win against Gibraltar. The game was hit by the weather as rain interrupted the Rock’s innings after 11 overs. They came back after a long delay for one more over and reached 61 for 3. Matt Ansell bowled well to take 2 -13 from four overs and Dan Hawke had 1 -14.
The Isle of Man was then set a Duckworth Lewis target of 70 in 12 overs which was reached in just under 10 overs for the loss of one wicket. Ollie Webster was in great form, blasting 50 not out from 35 balls with 5 fours and 1 six. Adam McAuley hit 17 and shared in an opening stand of 57.
Thursday’s tie with Israel was rained off as was Friday morning’s game with Spain. The weather relented in the afternoon when the re-arranged tie against Israel took place.
This was a close affair with the Manx losing by just ten runs. They fielded first and kept the total down to 119 for 8. Josh Evans made 50 from 44 balls, but there was good bowling again from Akkie van den Berg (3 -21) and more wickets for Matt Ansell, Sam Mills, Ollie Webster and Chris Hawke.
In reply the Isle of Man got away to a slow start, but opener Adam McAuley led with a solid 43. Dan Hawke (13no) and Nick White (14no) provided a lively finish but, as the overs ran out, the side fell just ten runs short.
Saturday was a disappointment with the fixture against Sweden falling victim to a waterlogged outfield. That left the Island with a record of one win, two defeats and two no-result matches.
Amongst the highlights was the bowling of Akkie van den Berg whose total figures of 6 -66 made him the second best wicket-taker in the division. Also the stand of 57 between Ollie Webster and Adam McAuley was only bettered by one of 63 from Gibraltar. Only five stumpings were made during the week and Adam Killey topped the honours board by making two of those.
If the weather was bad in Stockholm on Saturday, it was dreadful at Mullen-e-Cloie which was hit by a monsoon which wiped out the Blincoe Cup Final. The game will now be played next Saturday (Aug 27) at the same ground.
- Ends
