From July 1st to 4th 2011, 6 teams gathered at Svanholm Cricket club’s excellent facilities near Copenhagen to compete in an international Twenty 20 tournament played under full ICC rules. The Luxembourg U15 National team entered this tournament in good form but knowing that the standard of the competition would be higher than they had ever faced before. This was because the other countries of Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium and especially Holland have far greater numbers, facilities and coaches than the Grand Duchy enjoys. Furthermore, the Luxembourg team also included two 10 year old players and had the youngest average age in the competition but still arrived in high spirits and ready for the challenge.
The first match was against the hosts 1st team and Luxembourg elected to bat in confident mood. A steady start against some smart bowling enabled Luxembourg to reach 102 for 5 wickets which was a quite a good target on such a large pitch (T. Barker 46; J Barker 28 not out). However, Denmark 1 then responded in good style and despite losing wickets regularly, the Danish tail proved strong enough to guide the team home with just a few balls to spare. A close defeat but a good opening performance for Luxembourg with the pick of the bowlers being Alex Martin’s 4 overs, 1 wicket for 16. Result: Luxembourg 102 for 5, Denmark I 103 for 7 – Denmark won by 3 wickets.
The second match of the day was against the tournament favourites Holland who seemed not to take the challenge of Luxembourg too seriously. Batting first again, fine strokeplay from the Barker brothers set a good platform and despite some exceptional fielding by the Dutch, Luxembourg reached 98 for 4. After the break, the Dutch set about the chase but were soon faced with fierce fielding especially a notable catch from Thomas Martin as the impending thunderstorm approached. The conditions helped Luxembourg as wickets fell regularly and the nerves began to show on the Dutch as the target was neared but wickets tumbled. When the storm finally broke and play was abandoned, Holland were granted the win on superior run rate and they looked very relieved to have survived a possible shock. Result: Luxembourg 98 for 4, Holland 94 for 7 - Holland won on superior run rate as the match was abandoned due to rainstorm.
The second day started with Luxembourg knowing that a win was needed and so followed a change in tactics. This time choosing to field first proved a wise decision as Denmark 2 were never able to get the runs flowing thanks to straight bowling especially by Marcus Cope taking 3 wickets for just 19 off his 4 overs and Rishab Patil bowling very tightly supported by some sharp fielding. This display left Luxembourg chasing a modest target which allowed an adjustment in the batting order. Luxembourg were able to coast to victory by a 5 wicket margin with 5 overs to spare thanks to 33 not out from Timothy Barker steering his side safely home as every captain should. Result: Denmark II 79 for 8, Luxembourg 80 for 5, – Luxembourg won by 5 wickets.
The next opponents from Switzerland have become good friends over the years but that friendship was set aside as the match began. Batting first on the larger pitch, Luxembourg started well with the Barker brothers again dominating until a tough target of 110 was set. In the field, Luxembourg bowled well, especially Mark Radley and good fielding led to regular wickets falling but the runs still flowed. Tensions mounted on both sides and almost inevitably it came down to the final over with Switzerland scrambling a win with one ball to spare. Despite this defeat, both teams were able to enjoy a walk to the local beach in the evening where much of the action of the day was replayed on the sand. Result: Luxembourg 109 for 3, Switzerland 110 for 8 - Switzerland won by 2 wickets.
Luxembourg woke up on the final day knowing that a victory would be needed against neighbouring Belgium to restore respectability into the group table despite everyone knowing the overall strength of the Belgian team. Reverting to previously successful tactics, Luxembourg chose to field and quickly broke through due to an excellent catch by Joachim Schiodt, but then found it tough going as the Belgium middle order scored freely. Only a late fight back restricted the score to a formidable 138 meaning that Luxembourg would need 7 runs an over in reply to win. Then followed the finest partnership of the tournament with the Barker Brothers again playing with great style and skill in reply. The first wicket was to fall at 104 after 15 overs with the chase in full flow. The mad dash for runs cost a couple more wickets and the end result was Luxembourg needing 24 to win off the final 2 overs. Wayward bowling helped but with 9 runs still to get off the last 5 balls, the target seemed too much. Thankfully, James Barker had other ideas and confidently struck the ball around the field to ensure just a single was needed off the last ball to win. With the crowd and coaches suffering from nerves, James Barker confidently pushed the needed single that won the match and also reached his fifty. What a game to finish with. Result: Belgium 138 for 6, Luxembourg 139 for 2. Luxembourg won by 8 wickets on the very last ball !
As the dust settled and the heart rates recovered, Luxembourg were able to reflect on what they had achieved. The following facts tell the story - Two wins from 5 games; 4th place overall; 5 ‘Man of the match’ awards from the independent umpires; exceptional wicketkeeping from William Cope (5 catches and 5 stumpings) and the ‘Player of the Tournament Award’ to Timothy Barker averaging over 70 with his bat. Furthermore, in every game Luxembourg took more wickets than their opposition despite the 3 close defeats. With those facts in mind, the team was able to travel home knowing that they had truly exceeded all expectations, made their coaches very proud and won a huge stream of plaudits from amongst the international competition.
Photo: Luxembourg U15 National Cricket Team – (top) Alex Martin, Timothy Barker, James Barker, William Cope, Mark Radley, Rishab Patil. (bottom) Joachim Schiodt, Isak Schiodt, Christopher Fry, Marcus Cope, Thomas Martin.
Graham Cope.