Margins to mainstream: Italy complete their T20 World Cup qualification job

The Azzurri are heading to the World Cup. Not the OGs. But, Italy men’s cricket team. Just six years after playing their maiden T20 International against Germany in 2019, Italy made history on Friday at the Hague. Going into the final fixture, they either needed a win or a narrow loss to book their World Cup spot. Though they couldn’t get there on a high with a win, they ensured The Netherlands didn’t overhaul their target of 135 inside 14 overs (overhauled in 16.2 overs), which was enough to qualify.

New teams making the T20 World Cup has been the norm over the last few editions. Joining the storied climb of Afghanistan, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Uganda and US next year would be Italy when they make their presence in the T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March.

Going into the final day on Friday, Italy, Netherlands and Jersey – a tiny island with just a population of 1,03, 267 that sits on the English Channel – were vying for the two spots available for the T20 World Cup. The day began with a shocker as Jersey pipped Scotland by one wicket off the final ball, which meant they had to wait till the outcome of the Italy versus The Netherlands fixture. The close result in the game played into Italy’s hands.

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Unlike their football team which has been deserted by luck, their cricket team got one as Jersey’s tight win meant even if Italy lost the game, they had to ensure the Netherlands didn’t win by a huge margin. After electing to bat at The Hague, Italy made 134/7 in 20 overs and all that they needed to ensure was that The Netherlands didn’t chase the total inside 14 overs. A job their bowlers ensured despite the rapid start that the hosts got off to going at 11 runs an over in the powerplay before they took the gas off the pedals to coast home but also take Italy along with them to the sub-continent.

Multicultural crew

Starring in their qualification was a bunch of Aussie and English expats, who have moved to Italy alongside their captain Joe Burns. The Australian touch is hard to overlook, particularly given the head coach John Davison – famous for his century in the 2003 World Cup, is also from Australia. Joining Burns from Australia were Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Grant Stewart – a fast bowler born in Australia but played professional cricket for Kent before switching and Thomas Draca, who was in the IPL auction list recently.

Landing from England were opener Emilio Gay, who was part of England Lions, and Marcus Campopiano. Completing the Associate outfit were two expats from subcontinent – fast bowler Jaspreet Singh was born in Punjab’s Phagwara and off-spinner Crishan Jorge Priyantha Fernando Kalugamage has Sri Lanka Lankan roots. Two of them – Justin and Anthony Mosca—are native Italians.

When the Netherlands raced to 94/1 in 11 overs, Italy appeared to be losing their way. But three tidy overs got the job done for them. “Hopefully this is the stepping stone for a lot to come. It’s a very emotional group at the moment. Being on the verge of a World Cup? It’s very surreal,” Burns said.

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Having missed the qualification last time by one win, this time Italy have finished the job, with assistant coach Kevin O’Brien crediting the preparation head of the Qualifiers for the turnaround. “I think we’ve identified where we went wrong last time in Scotland (in the last cycle). We’ve looked at trying to change that, over the past few months or so,” he said.

“We’re well set after the two warm-up games this week, and we had a nice camp in Horsham (Sussex) where we played three games. All in all, I think it’s coming together, (and) the confidence is high in the group and we’ve got some very experienced players in the team, experience from all over the world as well,” O’Brien told ICC.

Brief scores: Italy 134/7 in 20 overs (Benjamin Manenti 30, Grant Stewart 25; Roelof Van Der Merwe 3/15) lost to The Netherlands 135/1 in 16.2 overs (Max O’Dowd 47 n.o, Scott Edwards 37 n.o).

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