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The 2023 Arachas All-Ireland T20 Cup winners have arrived in Spain for the annual European Cricket League – their second successive involvement in the T10 tournament.
The European Cricket League (ECL) is the Champions League of European cricket, played by European countries’ domestic league club champions. It brings all the domestic champions together in a Champions League format, providing the highest level of competition for European club cricket.
Find out more about the ECL and the CIYMS squad, including how to watch the games here.
17 MARCH 2024
Game 1: CIYMS v Cluj
The two sides met again and this time CI won without their top order firing. Allen Coulter (39* off 14 balls) and Max Burton (35* off 15 balls) rescued a tricky first innings score before the bowlers strangled the Romanian run-chase with a disciplined bowling effort.
Game 2: CIYMS v Cluj (The Final)
These two sides were destined to fight out the Final – and fight it out, they did. Cluj batted first under lights and put on a competitive 121-6, before that man, Jason van der Merwe hit back with 61 off 26 balls, ably assisted by John Matchett’s 26* off 9 balls.
CIYMS now progress to Championship Week!
16 MARCH 2024
Game 1: CIYMS v Cluj
This was simply the Jason van der Merwe show – his 89 from 33 balls featured an incredible 12 maximums! Batting first, CI racked up 147-2 from their 10 overs. Max Burton 19* (8) and Carson McCullough 25* (9) added to the Romanian bowlers’ misery.
In the reply, Cluj lost three wickets in the first ten balls before scrambling to 92-8. Carson McCullough was once more in the wickets with 3-24, as CIYMS won their third straight match at a canter.
Game 2: CIYMS v Oslo CK
It’s JVDM Day today! Backing up his 89 earlier today, Jason van der Merwe struck 94 off 34 balls, including 11 sixes and 5 fours. This time opening partner Chris Dougherty joined in the big-scoring action with 52 off 18 balls. The pair put on 108 off 6.5 overs to set up CI’s highest total in this 2024 edition of the ECL.
Mark Best claimed 2-22 in the Oslo CK response, with the CIYMS bowling never giving the Norwegian side a chance of an upset win.
CIYMS have finished top of Group G and move to the Qualifier stage, hoping to reach the Final and move through to Championship Week next week.
15 MARCH 2024
Game 1: CIYMS v Moufflons
A comprehensive win to start the tournament – Player of the Match Carson McCullough starred with 4-13 and 19* (7). The result could have been much worse for Moufflons as they were 35-9 before clawing their way to 66 from their 10 overs.
CI lost two wickets off the first seven balls in the chase, but comfortably chased the target with 27 balls to spare.
Game 2: CIYMS v Calpe Giants
A second win of the day for CI – batting first they lost two wickets in the first over but Chris Dougherty 54* (26) and Carson McCullough 27 (10) put on 49, before captain John Matchett smashed 46* (18) in an 85* run partnership. A solid bowling performance saw CI home, with the best return being 2-2 for the aptly named Mark Best.
14 MARCH 2024
After arriving at the team hotel, CIYMS captain John Matchett said:
“The approach to T10 cricket is something that took us a few games to get right last year, so hopefully the experience means we can hit the ground running this time round. Every ball can be a bit of an event and games can change really quickly so you have to be proactive and think on your feet – and stay calm when it gets chaotic!”
Asked about the most enjoyable aspect of T10 cricket, he said:
”The players enjoy the fast paced nature of the game. Obviously in 10 overs the focus is on hitting boundaries, so everyone enjoys the extra freedom you have compared to the 50 over/20 over cricket we normally play.”
Find out more about the ECL and the CIYMS squad, including how to watch the games here.
