Island side beat Israel to clinch spot in Saturday’s ICC European Division Two Championship finale, gaining promotion to Division One in the process
THE Isle of Man’s senior cricket side are through to final of the ICC European Division Two Championship after they produce a fine bowling performance to beat Israel by 39 runs in Corfu.
Gareth Dawson’s side, who only qualified for the last-four tie on net run rate, won the toss and elected to bat. After the early loss of Cronkbourne opener Max Stokoe, the Manx rallied through top scorer Gareth Morris (53) and Peel’s big hitter Phil Littlejohns (19).
However, four quick wickets saw the Manx middle-order fall away for just 12 runs leaving the islanders in trouble on 84-6. Cue Mark Williams’s arrival at the crease. The Castletown all-rounder hit 39 off just 18 balls to ensure the island finished their 20 overs on 136 for 7.
A polished performance with the ball ensured the island’s total soon became a very defend-able one with Williams returning figures of 3-13 and Max Stokoe 3-16 as the Israeli batting line-up collapsed under the pressure, Garreth Roome and Akkie Van Den Berg picked up a further two wickets apiece as Israel, who had topped group A unbeaten, were bowled out for 97.
The Manx will now face either Spain or Sweden who meet this afternoon in the tournament’s other semi-final on Saturday afternoon. By just being in the final the Manx side have secured promotion to Division One next season.