European Cricket Championship

The European Cricket Championship is a group of various tournaments in which national cricket sides throughout Europe compete. The tournament is designed to encourage and develop the best players in countries where cricket is not a major sport, and Europe's only Test cricket playing country, England, does not currently enter a side. The games are 50-over one-day cricket matches. Most of these do not have One Day International status (see below for more details).

History

1996

The first tournament was played in Denmark in 1996. The participating teams were Denmark, Gibraltar, Netherlands, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Scotland and an England Board XI. The tournament was won by Ireland after beating the Netherlands in the final. [ [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/1996/TOURNAMENTS/EUROCHAMS/about.shtml 1996 tournament at CricketEurope] ]

1998

In 1998, the tournament was split into two Divisions, although teams from the two Divisions still played each other in the final play-off matches. The teams from the previous tournaments were joined by France and Germany. The tournament was won by the hosts, the Netherlands . [ [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/1998/TOURNAMENTS/EUROCHAMS/about.shtml 1998 tournament at CricketEurope] ]

2000

The Divisional structure was tightened for this tournament, with teams from the two divisions not playing each other. The teams from the previous tournament were this time joined by Greece and Portugal. The tournament was played in Scotland and was again won by the Netherlands. The second division was won by "Gibraltar". [ [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2000/TOURNAMENTS/EUROCHAMS/about.shtml 2000 tournament at CricketEurope] ]

2002

This tournament was held in Northern Ireland, with Austria replacing Greece from the previous tournament. It was won by the ECB XI. The second division was again won by "Gibraltar". [ [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2002/TOURNAMENTS/EUROCHAMS/about.shtml 2002 tournament at CricketEurope] ]

2004

In this year, the two Divisions were played in two different countries. Division One, played in the Netherlands, was again won by the ECB XI, [ [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2004/TOURNAMENTS/EUROCHAMSA/results.shtml 2004 Division One at CricketEurope] ] whilst Division Two, played in Belgium was won by "Italy". Austria and Portugal did not compete this year, although Norway made their debut in Division Two. [ [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2004/TOURNAMENTS/EUROCHAMSB/results.shtml 2004 Division Two at the European Cricket Council] ]

2006

From 2006, the European Cricket Council have expanded the tournament to include five divisions of between 4 and 8 teams. Eventually, all five divisions will contain six teams.

Division One

The European 1st Division Championships was held in 4th-9th of August in Scotland. Five teams participated in a round robin tournament, the games being held in Glasgow and Ayr. The games between Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands had full ODI status. The tournament was won by Ireland, who had also won a 'clean sweep' of European Championship at all age levels. [ [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2006/TOURNAMENTS/EURODIV1/about.shtml 2006 Division One at CricketEurope] ]

The three top teams will play in the first division of the WCL in 2007, the 4th place will play in the 2nd Division and the 5th place in the 3rd Division.

Division Four

This tournament was played in Belgium, and featured the debut of Cyprus who played Finland, Luxembourg and Slovenia. It was won by Finland. [ [http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2006/TOURNAMENTS/EURODIV4/about.shtml 2006 Division Four at CricketEurope] ]

2007

Division Three

Group A

Division 2

The European Championship Division 2 was held from 18th-23rd August in Guernsey. Six teams participated in a round robin tournament, the games being played at the King George V, Port Soif and College Field grounds. [ [http://www.icc-europe.org/EURODIV2/index.shtml 2008 Division Two at ICC Europe] ] The tournament was won by Jersey who will compete in a play off later in the year for a chance of promotion to Division 1.

Third Division

ee also

*European Affiliates Championship

References