Cricket: Isle of Man bows out in ECC play-offs qualifier

Positive Manx campaign brought to a close in Malaga

The Isle of Man men's cricket squad brought a memorable European Cricket Championships journey to an end with defeat in the Challenger Division play-off qualifiers yesterday (2 October).

The T10 side bowed out with a six-wicket loss to Estonia at Cartama Oval in Malaga, Spain on Wednesday afternoon after the Island side had set their opponents a target of 157 to reach.

Half-centuries from Isle of Man captain Ollie Webster and Eddie Beard weren't enough as Estonia surpassed the target with three balls to spare.

Estonia would go on to take part in the Challenger Division Play-Off Final against Greece in which the latter nation would take a dramatic victory via the last ball of the game.

Having registered a trio of play-off defeats the day before, the Isle of Man bounced back into positive ways at the start of play on Wednesday as they recorded a six-run victory over Czechia in their final play-off group contest.

Webster managed the standout batting display for the Island side with 47 runs whilst JJ Griffin excelled in the bowling, taking two key wickets during Czechia's innings.

Into Wednesday's play-off qualifier and Estonia won the toss and chose to field - the Isle of Man made a positive start as both Webster and Beard totted up half-centuries before being dismissed.

However, the wickets then started to tumble with Estonia's Hardik Prajapati and David Robson on strong form taking six wickets between them.

Estonia then went into bat with that target of 157 and - despite seeing Sahil Chauhan dismissed for a 'golden duck' - Steffan Gooch and captain Arslan Amjad put up an 82-run partnership to start things off before a strong finishing duo saw Roberts (58 not out) and Bilal Masaud (15 not out) see out proceedings.

Isle of Man Cricket has since taken to social media to congratulate the team on its efforts at the tournament, saying the players 'have given everything and the games have been fantastic to watch.'