Czech Republic became the 86th team to play women's T20I cricket this weekend when they travelled to neighbours Austria for a three matfh series, though it was an unsuccessful tour with the hosts sweeping the series 3-0.
Seven of the Czech squad for the tour were products of the "Kriketová Akademie" an organisation headed up by Chris Pearce that aims to introduce cricket to Czech kids. These graduates include 16 year old captain Tereza Kolcunova, who became the youngest person to captain on T20I debut during the series.
The first game yesterday saw Austria put into bat first. Priya Sabu top scored for them with 54, whilst there were 45 extras in the Austrian total of 176-5. Ten bowlers were used by the Czech Republic. No batter reached double figures in the Czech reply as they were bowled out for 39 to lose by 137 runs. Priya Sabu and Komati Reddy both took three wickets for the home team.
The second game - also yesterday - again saw Austria bat first, this time after winning the toss. Priya Sabu top scored for again, this time contributing 78 oout of her team's total of 198-5. Czech captain Tereza Kolcunova was the only batter to reach double figures as the visitors managed to bat out their 20 overs in reply, scoring 64-7 and losing by 134 runs.
Austria again won the toss and chose to bat first in today's final game, though they opted to rejig their batting line-up with Andrea-Mae Zepeda, Priya Sabu and Jo-Antoinette Stiglitz - who usually bat towards the top of the order - down as the bottom three this time.
The first two of those three were required to bat, putting on a unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 76 with Zepeda scoring an unbeaten 49. Sarka Kolcunova bowled well for the visitors, taking 4-17. The Czechs again managed to bat out their overs, scoring 55-7 and losing by 106 runs.
Czech Republic have only a few days before their next international engagement as they will host the Women's Central Europe Cup starting on Friday. Gibraltar and Croatia will be the other teams involved. Austria currently have no scheduled fixtures for the rest of the summer.