Hungary, Bulgaria and Alderney will be among the newcomers in the second invitational European Twenty20 tournament staged by Carmel & District CC as part of a fortnight-long international cricket festival.
We successfully staged the event last year at our picturesque Pen-y-Gelli ground will host international fixtures every day from July 19-26 this summer.
Croatia ‘A', semi-finalists from last year, are also taking part, while Prague Cup winners Russia will hope to improve on their exit at the group stages last time out and, like Hungary, will hope to enhance their claims for ICC Affiliate member status.
The island of Alderney will make their first foray into international cricket while the tournament will also include a Flanders representative team captained by former France coach Dave Szumowski including a number of players from Lille Cricket Club.
Southport-based side New Victoria CC will also take part as the first English representative in the tournament.
Further details on the 2009 event can be found on the EuroTwenty20 tournament website.
Provisional match schedule
Sunday 19 July
1100: Bulgaria v Alderney
1400: Hungary v Flanders
1700: Carmel v New Victoria
Monday 20 July
1100: Bulgaria v Russia
1400: Croatia v Alderney
1700: Carmel v Flanders
Tuesday 21 July
1100: Croatia v Russia
1400: New Victoria v Hungary
1700: New Victoria v Flanders
Wednesday 22 July
1100: Russia v Alderney
1400: Croatia v Bulgaria
1700: Carmel v Hungary
Thursday 23 July
1400: Plate Semi-Final1
1700: Plate Semi-Final2
Friday 24 July
1400: Trophy Semi-Final1
1700: Trophy Sem-Final2
Saturday 25 July
(Rest/Reserve Day)
Sunday 26 July
1400: Plate Final
1700: Trophy Final
As well as the Twenty20 tournament the club’s players will also face prestigious opposition from more familiar cricket-playing nations in the week preceding the competition.
Crusaders Australia, a touring team from Down Under who include veteran former Test and first-class players in their side, will play the club on July 12 and Carmel will also play against a Caribbean XI on July 17.