World Cup 2026 T20 – European Qualifier – Italy

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Region Final
Match number T20I no. 3277
played at Sportpark Westvliet, Voorburg, Netherlands
on Saturday 5th July 2025
Umpires: Aidan Seaver (Ire) Russell Warren (Eng) Reserve Umpire: Roly Black (Ire)
Referee: Denavon Hayles (West Ind)

Toss won by Italy who elected to field
Italy won by 7 wkts
Player Of The Match Justin Mosca (Italy)

Guernsey innings  RunBall4s6sSR Italy BowlingOvMdnRunWktE/RWDNB
Ben Fitchetlbwb HJ Manenti11151073.33Grant Stewart40161400
Adam Martelrun out (Mosca)150020Thomas Draca201708.511
Martin-Dale Bradleyc Burnsb HJ Manenti181430128.57Harry Manenti411734.2500
Matthew Stokesc Burnsb Kalugamage13170076.47Crishan Kalugamage403017.500
Tom Nightingalec &b BAD Manenti352641134.61Ben Manenti402125.2500
Isaac Damarell †b J Singh9610150Jaspreet Singh20121600
Oliver Nightingale *c Campopianob HJ Manenti17200085
Luke Bichardb BAD Manenti03000
Anthony Stokeslbwb Stewart04000
Charlie Forshawnot out6100060
Harry Johnsonnot out1100100
Extras(lb 9, nb 1, w 1)11
Total(for 9 wkts)122
FoW1-2 (Adam Martel, 0.6 ov), 2-35 (Martin-Dale Bradley, 5.2 ov), 3-36 (Ben Fitchet, 5.4 ov), 4-60 (Matthew Stokes, 10.3 ov), 5-76 (Isaac Damarell, 12.1 ov), 6-100 (Tom Nightingale, 15.2 ov), 7-100 (Luke Thomas Bichard, 15.5 ov), 8-101 (Anthony Stokes, 16.4 ov), 9-121 (Oliver Nightingale, 19.5 ov)

Italy innings  RunBall4s6sSR Guernsey BowlingOvMdnRunWktE/RWDNB
Justin Moscanot out663763178.37Luke Bichard202611300
Emilio Gayc Fitchetb Bichard8420200Anthony Stokes201306.500
Joe Burns *c TW Nightingaleb H Johnson302050150Charlie Forshaw3031010.300
Harry Manentic ACF Stokesb Dale-Bradley222220100Adam Martel201507.500
Ben Manentinot out1100100Harry Johnson20181900
Marcus Campopiano+dnbMartin-Dale Bradley30241800
Crishan Kalugamagednb
Grant Stewartdnb
Zain Alidnb
Jaspreet Singhdnb
Thomas Dracadnb
Extras0
Total(for 3 wkts in 14 overs)127
FoW1-9 (Emilio Gay, 0.6 ov), 2-71 (Joe Burns, 6.5 ov), 3-118 (Harry Manenti, 13.3 ov)

‘Greens beaten by Italy in Europe Final opener’ By Gareth Le Prevost          Guernsey Press 7th July 2025

The Italians did a job on Guernsey on day one of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Regional Final in the Netherlands.

Up against a side led by a man with four Test centuries for Australia in Joe Burns and also including the likes of Durham’s Emilio Gay, who is tipped to play for England one day having already featured for the Lions, as well as numerous others who play in franchise cricket around the world, the Sarnians had their work cut out, but they did not play well enough for long enough periods to trouble their opponents.

Having been asked to bat by Burns, Guernsey fell at least a couple of dozen runs short of a truly competitive total at Voorburg Cricket Club in The Hague as they posted 122 for 9. A few of the batters got starts, but Tom Nightingale’s 35 from 26 balls with four fours and a six proved to be the top score for the Greens against a disciplined and varied Italian bowling attack. Ben Fitchet, Martin-Dale Bradley, Matt Stokes and Ollie Nightingale also all contributed double-figure scores.

With net run-rate likely to play a part in who qualifies at the end of the tournament, Italy quickly set about chasing down their target with Gay playing a couple of majestic drives to the boundary in Luke Bichard’s opening over before the bowler, who passed a late fitness test on his hamstring, got his revenge when the left-hander miscued to Fitchet at mid-on. That just brought Burns to the crease and his timing was superb, together with his pinpoint placement, as he eased to 30 off just 19 balls in joining Justin Mosca in a partnership of 62.

However, teenage seamer Harry Johnson claimed the big scalp of the Italian captain with a bumper that was miscued to deep midwicket in one of the highlights of the day for Guernsey. Another came with Italy on the verge of victory when Ant Stokes took a terrific one-handed leaping catch to give Bradley a deserved wicket.

Player-of-the-match Mosca, though, went on to finish 66 not out and finished the game in style with a straight six as Italy won by seven wickets with six overs to spare.