Aislabie
Test Cricket is Best Cricket
Allianz to sponsor European Championship
Following on from the success and excitement of the Nagico Americas Championship, Europe has created its own version: the Allianz ECC. This is hoped to be the second step towards cricket being a truly global game, and these regional tournaments are the first step in a new, bigger, more meritocratic World Cup structure. The first edition of the European tournament will feature ten nations, all of whom will hopefully be at full strength for the competition.
Following on from the success and excitement of the Nagico Americas Championship, Europe has created its own version: the Allianz ECC. This is hoped to be the second step towards cricket being a truly global game, and these regional tournaments are the first step in a new, bigger, more meritocratic World Cup structure. The first edition of the European tournament will feature ten nations, all of whom will hopefully be at full strength for the competition.
Scottish warm-ups thrive in the sun
Balmy weather in the north of the British Isles meant that all five warm-up matches were uninterrupted. The Republic of Ireland both completed easy wins against un-fancied opposition, while the home side defeated an under-strength Italian team. More unexpectedly, Northern Ireland pushed England down to the wire, while the batting-heavy Croatian team beat Wales, even without all-rounder Joseph Yovich.
England, Éire big winners on flat Dutch tracks
Quick outfields and sun-baked wickets made for a high-scoring round of fixtures in the Netherlands. The hosts unfortunately came off second best against England, and more specifically Harry Gurney. The other big fixture was the all-Ireland clash, which was won convincingly by the Republic. Elsewhere, Croatia and Denmark faced off in a thrilling clash, won by the latter by four runs, and Italy survived a brief scare against Germany.
Stay in Wales filled with upsets
If you managed to tip all four of the results that happened during our Welsh week, you'd be a very rich man. In their game at Cardiff, the hosts got completely turned over by the unfancied Germans and their clutch of all-rounders. Elsewhere in their group, Italy romped home against a strong Northern Ireland side, announcing themselves as genuine contenders. In Group A, Scotland claimed an easy win, but England imploded against the Danes on a friendly green seamer.
Group B wide open after Irish results
Anyone could now progress from Group B after Northern Ireland and Wales prevailed in their fixtures in the Irish province of Leinster. The Ulstermen blew away the Germans, never letting them into the game, while Wales played out an absolutely thrilling game to defeat the hosts with two balls left. In Group A, meanwhile, the Netherlands lost control of their own destiny by losing to Scotland, while England absolutely battered Croatia.
Croatia, Netherlands out of tournament
In an unexpected turn of events, Croatia defeated the Netherlands at the picturesque Vis Island ground. It wasn't enough to keep the Croatians in the hunt, and also consigned the Dutch to a bottom-of-the-table drubbing, in spite of what the ratings say. Meanwhile, Scotland defeated Denmark in what ended up being a dead-rubber contest. In Group B, things are far more open after wins from both home teams leave three teams on two points, each with a game in hand over Germany (4 points). The Germans' second win of the series came over a disappointing Irish side, while Italy overcame Wales.
Ulster plays host to thrilling final round
The final round of group games was an absolute showstopper, thanks in no small part to the atmosphere in Northern Ireland. Group A may have been done and dusted, but nobody told the players. At Strabane, Iain Wardlaw bowled out of his skin to dismantle the English batting, but it took another nuggety partnership between repeat heroes Mommsen and Taylor to seal another nailbiting three-wicket win for Scotland. Meanwhile, Coleraine saw a last-ball thriller, where Klokker's batting saw Denmark to 212, a total which was very nearly too much for the star-studded Dutch batting. In Group B, the hosts put in the performance of the tournament against Wales - Matt Dunn terrorising the batting, and then Craig Ervine trashing the bowling. That left the Republic of Ireland in with a chance of qualifying, but Italy put paid to that, posting too many runs even for Marshall, Morgan and KOB to hunt down. What a round of matches.
Knock-out draw announced
The quarter-finals will see Denmark and Germany face off for the chance to face Italy in the final four (you'd have got good odds on that), while Northern Ireland and England will be hoping to play against Scotland.
England, Denmark through to semis
In a slighty disappointing round of matches, Denmark booked their place against Italy and England prevailed to face Scotland. The English looked like a completely different side back on home turf, utterly flattening Northern Ireland thanks to a Luke Wright hundred, while Denmark out-spun Germany on an atypical Headingley track.
England and Italy will face off at Lord's
Semi-final day played host to two displays of the highest class. At Trent Bridge, Scotland were put straight onto the back foot by a top-quality opening over from Chris Jordan, and they just couldn't make it back into the game. Calum MacLeod and Rob Taylor both did their jobs, but nobody could match James Tredwell's flighted spin or Joe Root's magnificent batting. Meanwhile, The Oval played host to the Italians dismantling Denmark, with Diamanti and Vettori unbeaten at six and seven.
Italy win thrilling finale
After a fantastic tournament, it's the relatively unfancied Italians who prevail over the English in a last-ball thriller at the home of cricket, Lord's. After a horrendous start to their first innings, the Italian lower order took up the challenge with gusto, claiming 64 runs in the last four overs, including a three-a-ball dash from Dan Vettori. In reply, the English romped to 215 for three with sixteen overs still to go. However, a spirited fightback from Italy took the game down to the final over. At this point, James Tredwell just couldn't do enough.
Italy finish the tournament ranked number two
After the second of the World Cup Qualifiers, Italy are ranked number two in the world behind Trinidad and Tobago. Of course, half of the teams in the qualifying series are yet to play and therefore not ranked, but this gives a good idea of their chances for the World Cup. Elsewhere in Europe: Scotland are third, England are fifth, while Wales languish all the way down in 25th above only Sint Maarten.
Zimbabwe come calling for Ballance
Following his omission from England's squad for the Allianz European Championship, Gary Ballance has been selected by Zimbabwe in the KFC SANZAC Championship. This was made possible by the same kind of special dispensation that allows - for example - Anton Devcich to play for Croatia.
Simmons slams SANZAC Championship
Republic of Ireland coach Phil Simmons has openly criticised the structure of the KFC SANZAC Championship. Read his comments here.
Last edited:
Craig Borich
