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As Guernsey opener Ben Fitchet saw his stumps go flying, a mini tornado was sweeping across the Cartana Oval.
It was only the second ball of the Sarnian’s reply and they had already faced a storm of a different kind with Scotland sending balls flying into the car park in their Group A clash in the European Cricket Championship.
A few dropped catches did not help Guernsey's chances during the Scottish innings.
The 15 runs Scotland scored off Luke Bichard's opening over including two sixes was a taste of things to come as they built a total of 147/5 off their 10 overs.
Opener Christopher McBride struck 39, including five sixes before losing his wicket at the end of the second over, while coming in at number six, Charlie Cassell ended the innings 41 not out having also hit five maximums.
It all left Guernsey needing to score nearly 15 runs an over for the win.
Pictured: the dust whipped up at the Cartana Oval. Image from European Cricket Network YouTube channel.
After Fitchet went, Josh Butler came out swinging and gathered 18 runs off eight balls before being bowled by Charlie Cassell leaving Guernsey on 21 for 2 near the end of the second over.
Ollie Nightingale fell next having amassed 11 runs, before Alex Bushell, whose sharp wicket keeping had earlier stumped Kess Sajjad, was out for a golden duck in the middle of the third.
Bichard and Tom Nightingale then steadied the ship, for a few overs anyway.
Bichard was out for 35 at the end of the fifth, and when he was followed by Tom Nightingale (23), caught near the ropes two balls later, it felt like the final nail in the coffin.
It was the sixth over and Adam Martel was caught driving straight off the next ball for the second golden duck of the innings.
It meant spinner Jack Hogarth had the chance of a hat trick and he took it with delight as he arrowed one in at the stumps and Oliver Chapham was trapped LBW.
For Guernsey it was then about getting 103 for a bonus point.
Debutant Will Stewart (13) and young Charlie Forshaw (11) picked up the runs to secure that.
They finished on 117-8.
Guernsey then faced an Ireland XI in the evening.
They play France at 10:45 and Portugal at 15:30 today.
Final placings for their group will be decided by matches on Saturday. Only the top side goes through to finals week.
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