Chasing the Czechs

was exciting, dramatic and ultimately unsuccessful.

We were all out for 128 in a big-hitting, single-grabbing climax to a
long match.

Hats off to the Bohemian bowlers: they bowled tighter than we did.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Lining up pre-match at the Ropa Valley No. 1 ground.

Just to flesh this post out a bit.

Colin Sutcliffe made his international debut today (thus earning the right to have the number 12 tatooed on his leg) in a match that lasted about seven hours.

After winning the toss the Czech Republic elected to bat and after a grueling 47-odd overs they were all out for 150.

Hopes were hight that we could make it and we started off well with Steve managing the "cannon fodder" role of seeing off the Czech's front line bowlers for a full 11 overs before finally falling.

SGR Bryant takes one for Turkey

After a great day behind the wicket, taking two stumpings and two catches, Aasim put on a patient 39 before being given out to a very dodgy LBW decision.

The rest of the batting line-up also did some great work and for a long while victory was not out of sight.

Czech fielders come in from far and wide to witness the intricate stroke play of Sener Sen.

It was only close to the end that things looked grim as we started to lose wickets. In the end we were all out after 47 overs, a great effort for a team that until now hadn't played more than 30-odd overs.

Tomorrow we take on Greece. Today they managed to score 300-plus against Estonia (admittedly on a small field), so... let's see we can pull off the biggest upset of the tournament.