After their defeat by Austria, Cyprus knew they had lost their best chance of winning the championship. They could only pray that some good fairy would come to their aid and conjur a defeat for Austria in one of their remaining games. Today Austria were playing Switzerland who, since their early defeat, were getting stronger with each game, defeating Finland on day two and Slovenia on day three. Switzerland were now Cyprus best hope of remaining in the championship.

 

(photos Sunil Gururaj)

 

But Cyprus task was to overcome their low spirits and focus on todays game. Their opponents were Luxembourg, who had so very nearly defeated Austria on day two. The two teams had met before in Belgium in 2006, where Cyprus won thanks to Niroshans memorable innings.

Playing on the fast outfield of Happy Valley 3 there was a promise of runs but for the first time in the championship Mike K lost the toss and Cyprus found themselvesin the field.

 

 

Luxembourg lost their first wicket in the fourth over, Andrews (0) caught by wicket keeper Sawar off Christos M bowling. The same fate met his partner Pattabir (14) six overs later off Mike K. Luxembourg were 26 for 2 from 11 overs and not looking over confident. A partnership between Heath (13) and Whiteman (17) looked promising for a while, taking the score onto 36 in the 18 over when a succession of wickets in the next six overs set them reeling.

 

 

Luxembourg must have some special attraction for Niroshan for once again this was to be Niroshans day, but this time with the ball. Helped by Kashif who bowled Heath and Chris M who took out Luxembourgs top scorer Romesh, Niroshan single handedly removed the top and middle order, accounting for 4 wickets for 31 runs. By the time he had danced his last victory jig, Luxembourg were 65 for 7 and with no real chance of recovery.

 

 

Romesh (34) and Cope (13no) did their best to rally, but once Romesh was bowled, the tail fell foul of Kapilas spin. In over 47 Luxembourg were all out for 111.

 

 

It took only three batsmen 19 overs to overtake the Luxembourg score. Muhammad opening with Kapila blasted a quick 27 before being bowled in the 11 over by Gandhi.

 

 

Gandhi, who had been such a force in previous games, was not able to make any further impression on this game. Kashif batted out the innings with Kapila, with Cyprus finishing on 114, Kapila 52 no and Kashif 21 no.

 

 

 

 

Important though this game was to maintain Cyprus run rate, more vital was the news that came from Hap Val 1 as the Cyprus team warmed down.

 

 

Switzerland had defeated Austria by 76 runs, and Cyprus was back in the game.

 

Luxembourg batting Pattabiraman 14, Andrews 0, Heath 13, Whiteman 17, Neale 3, Paul 34, Gandhi 6, Merkl 0, Cope 13, Codd 1, Fitgerald 2,

Cyprus bowling Mike K 24-1, Chris M 23-2, Kashif 25-1, Niroshan 31-4, Kapila 7-2.

Cyprus batting Muhammad 27, Kapila 52 no, Kashif 21

Luxembourg bowling Gandhi 36-1, Neale 19-0, Paul 21-0, Fitzgerald 23-0, Merkl 7-0, Codd 6-0.

 

For complete scorecard go to http://www.icc-europe.org/EURODIV4/CARDS/CYPLUX.shtml