Played over three days in Prague, each team competed against one another in 50 over match Luxembourg Cricket

Played over three days in Prague, each team competed against one another in 50 over match Luxembourg Cricket

Played over three days in Prague, each team competed against one another in 50 over match.

The opening match was against tournament favourites, Poland. Luxembourg batted first and in difficult batting conditions scored 224 all out with the highlight coming from Richard Neale who anchored innings and scored a fifty. In reply, Luxembourg bowled and fielded excellently, dismissing Poland for just 169 to secure a win by 55 runs much to the tournament favourites shock. Saransh Kulshrestha (9.3 overs, 3-35) Atif Kamal (8 overs 2-31) and Tony Whiteman (4 overs, 2-9) were the pick of the Luxembourg bowlers.

The full Luxembourg cricket squad in Prague

The following day, Luxembourg took on hosts, Czech Republic. Once again, Luxembourg batted first and Czech Republic were given a master-class in batting. James Barker scored a brilliant 95 and William Cope batted with fluency and confidence for 52. Both were ably supported by Tim Barker for his big-hitting cameo of 46 and excellent shot-making by Saransh Kulshrestha for 31. Luxembourg delivered a clinical bowling performance to dismiss Czech Republic for 172 and won by a massive 124 runs. Aanand Pandey led the attack with 4 overs, 4-44 and there was some excellent boundary catching.

With Luxembourg leading the way, the final game was against the bottom team, Switzerland. Switzerland fortunes were about to change, having lost their first two matches. Batting first, they amassed 294 against Luxembourg. William Cope (6 overs, 4-29) and Charlie Ramsden (6 overs, 3-44) were the main wicket-takers for Luxembourg. In reply, Luxembourg never really got into gear and were dismissed for 115. It was a shock defeat that meant Luxembourg finished the tournament in second place, behind Poland. Czech Republic were third and Switzerland fourth.

The Luxembourg National Cricket side has gone from strength to strength in the last few years, winning tournaments in Romania, Malta and now coming second in Czech Republic.

Luxembourg are due to travel to Malta in early October where they will face Spain, Hungary and Malta.