Italy got their ICC Europe Division One campaign off to the perfect start with a comprehensive win over Sweden at Horsham Cricket Club today.

Sweden elected to field first after winning the toss, initially starting well when Dinidu Marage was dismissed for four in the second over. But Italy didn't let that early setback derail their innings as Northcote and Petricola put on 94 for the second wicket before Petricola was dismissed for 40.

Northcote played the more aggressive role and he scored 69 from 38 balls, displaying a great ability to rotate the strike and hit the boundaries when needed. Captain Crowley scored 59 from 29 balls, with Sandri smashing 28 from 12 balls with three huge sixes as Italy reached 213-3 from their 20 overs.

Sweden struggled in reply, clearly struggling to adapt in what was their first match ever on a turf wicket. They had little defence to the Italian bowling attack, who put in a thoroughly professional performance to bowl Sweden out for 74, winning by 139 runs.

Meanwhile on the second Horsham ground, Austria started with a closer win over Gibraltar. Batting first, Lakmal Kasthuri Arachchige top scored with 45 from just 31 balls as Austria scored 170-9 from their 20 overs. Gibraltar captain Iain Latin was the pick of thee bowlers with 3-28.

In reply, Gibraltar lost their first three wickets with just 36 runs on the board, and whilst they got close, they were never really in the hunt, despite Mark Bacarese and Iain Latin scoring 44 and 43 respectively in their total of 156-6, losing by 14 runs.