South Wilts all-rounder Arthur Godsal smashed 40 off just 11 balls, an innings which included four sixes and three fours, but was unable to save the National Counties from a fourth defeat by Italy in the European T10 Championships which they won in Malaga last year.
Godsal’s boundary spree helped the NC XI to 121-9 but Italy opener Amir Sharif went on a six-hitting spree of his own cracking five successive maximums, scoring 44 off 16 balls before Godsal (2-14) removed him.
Italy needed six runs to win off the final over bowled by one-time Hampshire Under-17 all-rounder Andy Rishman (Berkshire), who conceded only three singles before being hit for a match winning six over extra-cover off the last ball.
The National Counties also lost by 30 runs to the Netherlands and lie pointless and bottom of the table after four rounds of matches.
Godsal’s boundary spree helped the NC XI to 121-9 but Italy opener Amir Sharif went on a six-hitting spree of his own cracking five successive maximums, scoring 44 off 16 balls before Godsal (2-14) removed him.
Italy needed six runs to win off the final over bowled by one-time Hampshire Under-17 all-rounder Andy Rishman (Berkshire), who conceded only three singles before being hit for a match winning six over extra-cover off the last ball.
The National Counties also lost by 30 runs to the Netherlands and lie pointless and bottom of the table after four rounds of matches.