ICC/CricketEurope

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Heavy and persistent rain over Dublin put paid to the two other matches in the final round of the European Championships, with neither of Norway’s clash against Italy nor the Danes’ encounter with the Dutch reaching a conclusion.

Indeed, that latter match did not even get started at The Hills, despite there being hope of a reduced, 36-overs match beginning at 3.30pm. This washout means that Freddie Klokker’s team will finish in a more than creditable third position and the Netherlands in fourth, ahead of Italy only by virtue of a superior run rate.

At Malahide, however, there was some play, with the Italians racing to 127 for two from only seventeen overs against Norway. The length of match had been cut there, too, but when the rains returned at around five o’clock conditions became insuperable.

During what play was possible Alessandro Bonora had starred for the Italians, smashing 60 from just 44 balls (including six boundaries) and he was well supported by Andy Northcote, with whom he put on 98 for the second wicket. Northcote himself reached 41 (made off 46 balls, with three fours) before the deluge.

In the end, it has been an impressive week for the Italians, with Peter Petricola a contender for the player-of-the-tournament award, but a chastening experience for the Norwegians, who will no doubt seek to regroup and improve over the close season.