France triumph over Luxembourg in unofficial ODI
Tony Munro - 6 June 1999

France beat Luxembourg in a 50-over One Day "International" by 105 runs in Walferdange, Luxembourg, on May 23.

In warm sunshine, Luxembourg put France into bat. Bright stroke play by Ash (63) and Jones (38) took France past 100 with just one wicket down. Ash's departure to a sparkling catch at mid-wicket heralded a collapse, and tight bowling by left-armer West had the visitors struggling at 168-6 before a lusty 33 from Bronard saw the visitors to 213-8.

Luxembourg opener, Chris Hawes, took toll of wayward bowling by Conein as the hosts set off at 4-an-over. But when Hawes was bowled by Bronard for 37, Luxembourg lost their way and a hostile spell by Linton (5 for 5 off 6 overs) restricted them to 108 all out.

The Luxembourg team was: Madhu Ramachandran, Chris Hawes, Peter Winchester, Tim Horrocks, Mark Thomas, John Patten, Geoff Thomas, Wayne Codd, Mike West, Pete Mitchell, Dipak Gianchandani.

Luxembourg is unable to compete in official tournaments due to ICC eligibility rules - no Luxembourger is yet to take up the game, although the LCF has undertaken a vigorous development programme.

On the domestic front, the new Luxembourg league has seen its first matches. At the moment Euratom CC head the table with Optimists CC in second position. Optimists First XI drew their first Belgian league match against Antwerp CC, the latter holding out with nine wickets down. In that match Aamer Bin Jung became the first Optimist to score two centuries in a weekend, the other being against Euratom in the Luxembourg league game (both not out).