On Saturday 12 July a youthful Swiss side featuring a number of new names gathered in the grounds of the majestic Ch’teau de Thoiry for the first of two friendlies against France. In recent years these fixtures have been dominated by France, who have won 5 out of 6 matches since 1999.

This year, however, with preparations for the ECC Notts SportÆ Trophy hotting up, the Swiss team, led by Tom Brink-Wehrli, had other plans. A 50 overs match was on the agenda, and winning the toss, the captain elected to take the field. What followed must be rated amongst the finest fielding and bowling performances of a Swiss side in recent memory, with the French top order soon reeling at 71-5 before engineering something of a recovery to finish on 174 all out. A promising second wicket partnership had the Swiss progressing steadily towards the French total, but having been 131-3, a batting collapse of astonishing proportions saw them at 135-8 a mere 4 overs later, and all out for 154.

On 13 July, having found the Standard Athletic Club after a Hansel-and-Gretel-like trip into the heart of the ForÍt de Meudon, the unperturbed Swiss boys prepared for retribution. Having lost the toss, Brink was delighted that his French counterpart, Shabir, chose to bat. Having dismissed the French openers relatively quickly, the Swiss waited patiently for more chances to come their way, showing great commitment in the field and forcing the French, who eventually closed on 219-9 off 40 overs, to work hard for their runs. The Swiss top order placed the team in a reasonable position, needing a run-rate of 5 an over at 115-3. Not a problem, as Emslie and Raja put on 95 in the following 10 overs. Following some spectacular big-hitting which brought the French total ever closer, Raja was bowled for 47, and was followed shortly afterwards by Tariq Khan for 3, bringing Jacques Boshoff to the crease to finish the French off with a 4 in what may well be his last match for Switzerland.

Thoiry, 12 July: France 174 all out off 40 overs (Waseem 41; Roost 4 overs ñ 0 maidens ñ 6 runs ñ 3 wickets, Gerrard 10-2-32-2, Khan 10-1-30-1) Switzerland all out for 154 off 38 overs (Brink 52; Siva 5.2-0-28-4) France won by 20 runs Meudon, 13 July: France 219 for 9 off 40 overs (Grant 63, Tahir 48; Emslie 5-1-29-3) Switzerland 220 off 35 overs (Brink 41, Hafeez 47, Emslie 67*) Switzerland won by 5 wickets