Fixtures for three ICC events announced ahead of Europe's 'Summer of Cricket'

In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Final 2019, six teams will contest for one qualifying spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier later in the year, where they will join fellow European Members Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland for a chance to compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia.

Hosts Guernsey will be joined by Denmark, Germany, Italy, Jersey and Norway in a single round robin event to be held between 15 and 20 June.

These matches will be played as full T20 Internationals and will help contribute to each Member’s T20I team ranking.

On hosting the tournament Mark Latter, CEO of Guernsey Cricket Board, said: “We are delighted to once again be given the opportunity to welcome the ICC and fellow Associate Member teams to our wonderful island, which we know will be a great place to both play cricket and enjoy our wonderful hospitality. We look forward to seeing all the island out supporting the Greens and coming to watch some superb international cricket. First and foremost, we hope that seeing the National team playing on an international stage, at home, will inspire more boys and girls to take up our great game.”

Germany, Netherlands and Scotland will travel to La Manga in Spain to compete in the ICC Women’s Qualifier Europe 2019, to take place between 26 and 30 June. Germany will be sending a women’s national team to an ICC event for the first time, rewarding the significant growth of the game in the country. They will face the established sides of Netherlands and Scotland at La Manga in a double round robin tournament, with matches being played as full T20 Internationals.

This event offers a qualification route to both the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier. As hosts of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, Scotland are guaranteed a place in the next stage of the T20 World Cup pathway, leaving Germany and Netherlands to battle it out for the one European spot available. However, Scotland still have plenty to play for, with all three sides vying for one spot to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

John Howden, General Manager of hosts Cricket Espana, said: “We are thrilled to play host to the ICC Women’s Qualifier Europe 2019. We are fortunate to have such fantastic facilities available with our partners at the La Manga Club Resort, and I am certain that together we will provide an ideal environment for the three sides to compete. The development of the women’s game is a priority for Cricket Espana and having the opportunity to host an event that showcases the best of women’s cricket in Europe will surely provide a positive impact on the game locally.”

In the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Europe Qualifier 2019, six teams will compete for one qualification spot to the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 in South Africa. The three qualifiers from the Division 2 event in 2018 – Netherlands, France and Denmark – will join Ireland, Jersey and Scotland to play in a single round robin event in the Netherlands. This 50-over qualifier showcases the next generation of European cricketing talent from across the continent and will take place between 26 July and 1 August.

Betty Timmer, Chairperson of KNCB, is looking forward to hosting a third ICC event in the past two years: “We are excited to be hosting the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Europe Qualifier. This event is very important for the top European cricket countries and provides an opportunity to qualify for the ICC 2020 U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. We look forward to seeing the future stars of European Cricket in the Netherlands this summer.”

Ed Shuttleworth, ICC Development Manager Europe, said: “The 2019 European summer of international cricket is here to unite, inspire and empower communities through cricket. 33 teams from 21 different European countries have played across the three pathways (women’s, men’s and male U19) and each have had a chance to reach a World Cup in their respective formats. I wish the very best of luck to all the sides. 2019 really is an exciting time for women’s, men’s and junior cricket across Europe.”