European Cricket League to expand after success of inaugural competition

The competition, which staged its inaugural event at La Manga Club during a three-day stretch in July, enjoyed remarkable success

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The European Cricket League has announced that it will expand for its second edition in 2020.

The competition, which staged its inaugural event at La Manga Club during a three-day stretch in July, enjoyed remarkable success.

Next year’s tournament will begin on May 31, going through to June 7.

The domestic T20 club champions from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia and Spain took part in the first competition, but the number of sides involved will also be expanded as organisers look to take advantage of the tournament’s popularity.

Coverage was broadcast in more than 120 countries, with 140 million households reached through 43 different broadcast partners.

Dutch club V.O.C. Rotterdam ultimately won the competition, defeating German outfit SG Findorff in remarkable fashion, with Rotterdam making 222 from their ten overs.

Pavel Florin, the Romanian cricketer, became a cult hero of the competition after his bowling action went viral.

Dutch international Max O’Dowd, who was named player of the tournament, told The Cricketer: “It was an unbelievable event. For guys like myself, Scott Edwards and Pieter Seelaar, who’ve experienced situations like that in front of cameras, it was great.

“But then, for amateur club cricketers, who aren’t paid professionals but play the game for the love of the game, to put them on a stage like that to perform has only helped them.

“Not only has it helped their mental approach, the opportunities it gave some guys to play on TV and to show family members back home, that’s what it’s all about.”