15 teams in three groups of five, have been whittled down to a select group of six nations for Championship Week from 4-8 October at the stunning Cartama Oval in Malaga, Spain.
European Cricket Network live broadcasts five T10 matches on Day 17 of the 2021 Dream11 European Cricket Championship on Tuesday 5 October.
Championship Week continues with the winless sides all aiming to get off the mark on Tuesday.
Championship Week - Standings
NED XI Netherlands XI (2-0, 5pt, NRR+6.350) [8-1-1 in Group B]
BEL Belgium (2-0, 5pt, NRR+4.900) [7-3 in Group A]
ENG XI England XI (1-0, 3pt, NRR+9.300) [9-1 in Group C]
AUT Austria (0-1, 0 pts, NRR-3.400) [7-3-1 in Group B]
ITA Italy (0-2, 0 pts, NRR-5.050) [6-5 in Group C]
SPA Spain (0-2, 0 pts, NRR-9.150) (6-4-1 in Group A]
European Cricket Championship 2021
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | MATCH 6 (ECC21.078)
NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI) v AUSTRIA (AUT)
0700 GMT | 0900 CET | 1230 IST
NED XI Group Stage Timeline: W W W W W W L W NR W (Avg Score For 130, Avg Score Against 92)
NED XI Championship WeekTimeline: W W (Avg Score For 118, Avg Score Against 55)
AUT Group Stage Timeline: W W L W L W W W NR W L (Avg Score For 121, Avg Score Against 111)
AUT Championship Week Timeline: L (Avg Score For 137, Avg Score Against 171)
NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI)
Captain: Sebastiaan Braat
Wicketkeeper: Ratha Alphonse
Projected Top Order: Musa Nadeem Ahmad, Clayton Floyd, Boris Gorlee, Sebastiaan Braat
Projected Opening Bowlers: Vivian Kingma, Ryan Klein
Spin Options: Clayton Floyd, Julian de Mey
Coach: Pierce Fletcher
NETHERLANDS XI Key Players:
Sebastiaan Braat, skipper with six T20 international matches to his name. A dynamic, fast bowling all-rounder with vast experience facing top quality opposition. Hasn’t enjoyed much opportunity to impress with the bat, but has managed 130 runs in 11 innings at a SR of 220. Has picked up 14 wickets with the ball including a best return of 3-10.
Boris Gorlee, young, up and coming talent, has represented the Dutch under-19 team, mustered an unbeaten 55 off 29 balls to bag his first player of the match award vs Romania. Third highest scorer for NED XI racking up 232 runs in 10 innings.
Musa Nadeem Ahmad, star batter, the left hander scored a quickfire 70* off 27 balls vs Spain on Monday to surpass Clayton Floyd as highest run scorer for NED XI amassing 282 runs in 11 knocks at a strike rate of 219. Has also picked up a couple of wickets and is a good outfielder.
Clayton Floyd, talented all-rounder and canny left-arm spinner. Mustered 115 off just 35 balls vs Romania in Week 2 racking up an historic first ever T10 international hundred. His knock included 15 towering maximos. Second highest scorer for NED XI racking up 259 runs in 10 innings and is the top wicket taker for his side picking up 15 wickets.
Julian De Mey, slow left arm orthodox, highly effective in the middle overs, joint second highest wicket taker for NED XI scalping 14 wickets in 11 games including a best return of 3-12.
Ryan Klein, right arm fast bowler, became only the second bowler to take a T10 international HAT-TRICK - scalping 3-14 vs Austria. Has taken a total of 10 wickets in 11 games.
AUSTRIA (AUT)
Captain: Razmal Shigiwal
Wicketkeeper: Abrar Bilal
Projected Top Order: Iqbal Hossain, Bilal Zalmai, Razmal Shigiwal, Abrar Bilal, Mirza Ahsan
Projected Opening Bowlers: Aqib Iqbal, Sahel Zadran
Spin Options: Sahel Zadran, Sahil Momin, Iqbal Hossain
Coach: Marcel Biersteker
AUSTRIA Key Players:
Razmal Shigiwal, hard hitting batter, started off Week 2 with a bang plundering 96 runs in just 28 balls including 11 HUGE maximos against Romania. Scored a valiant 78* off 31 vs BEL on Monday. Highest scorer for Austria mustering 304 runs in 10 innings.
Iqbal Hossain, aggressive opening batter, second highest scorer for AUT, hammered 299 runs in 11 innings including a blistering 64* off 29 balls vs HUN. Has bagged three player of the match awards.
Aqib Iqbal, young, energetic fast bowler, capable of swinging the ball in the air and off the deck, second highest wicket taker for AUT picking up NINE wickets with a best return of 3-4.
Bilal Zalmai, the hard hitting opening batter has been included in the Austria side for the Championship Week to boost the AUT batting. The all-rounder has amassed 618 runs at a SR of 206 and picked up 12 wickets in 22 ECS matches.
Group B winners Netherlands XI made a fast start in the Championship Week with two crushing wins. NED XI bowlers looked lethal bowling out hosts Spain for the lowest ever ECC total of just 38. Austria succumbed to Group A winners Belgium in their only game on Monday and will now face their nemesis from Week 2, NED XI.
Last time they met: ECC21.048 | NED XI 126 def AUT 122 (24 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Netherlands XI (NED XI) to win comfortably.
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | MATCH 7 (ECC21.079)
ITALY (ITA) v SPAIN (SPA)
0900 GMT | 1100 CET | 1430 IST
ITA Group Stage Timeline: L L L L W W W W W W L (Avg Score For 112, Avg Score Against 98)
ITA Championship WeekTimeline: L L (Avg Score For 80, Avg Score Against 130)
SPA Group StageTimeline: LW NR W W W L W L W L (Avg Score For 119, Avg Score Against 113)
SPA Championship Week Timeline: L L (Avg Score For 62, Avg Score Against 153)
ITALY (ITA)
Captain: Baljit Singh
Wicket Keeper: Nisar Ahmed
Projected Top Order: Rajmani Sandhu,Nisar Ahmed, Amir Sharif, Baljit Singh
Projected Opening Bowlers: Muhammad Imran, Ravi Paul, Amir Sharif
Spin Options: Jorawar Singh
Coach: Kamal Kariyawasama Indipolage
ITALY Key Players:
Baljit Singh, right arm medium pacer with good numbers in international T20. The experienced campaigner can also swing the bat hard. Second highest scorer for ITA racking up 214 runs in 12 innings. Muscled a brilliant match winning 43* off 20 balls vs ENG XI to take his side to a first ECC win. Mustered 62* off 19 in the Group C Final against ENG XI again. Has also picked up NINE wickets.
Amir Sharif, right handed batter and right arm pacer, capable of swinging the ball away from the right hander at pace, second highest wicket taker in the tournament so far scalping 17 wickets including a best return of 4-19 vs GER in the opening game. The all-rounder is also the leading run scorer in the tournament blasting 375 runs in 13 games including 80* off just 26 balls in the Eliminator and 57* off 24 in the second qualifier in week three.
Jaspreet Singh, right arm medium pacer, has been good throughout the tournament picking up 13 wickets in 10 games with a best return of 3-7 sv CZR.
Nisar Ahmed, wicket keeper batter, has plenty of T10 experience playing in the ECS, third highest scorer for ITA racking up 181 runs in 11 games including a match winning 51* off 22 vs CZR in the Eliminator.
SPAIN (SPA)
Captain: Christian Munoz-Mills
Wicketkeeper: Awais Ahmed
Projected Top Order: Awais Ahmed, Hamza Saleem, Jack Perman, Yasir Ali
Projected Opening Bowlers: Atif Mehmood, Adeel Raja
Spin Options: Jack Perman, Yasir Ali
Coach: Dave Gelling
SPAIN Key Players:
Kuldeep Lal, has caught the eye in ECS comps over the last two seasons for his all-round performances. Third highest wicket taker for SPA scalping 12 wickets in 12 games with a best return of 3-6. Scored an entertaining 46 off 20 balls opening the innings vs BEL to bag his first player of the match award of the tournament.
Hamza Saleem, Prodigiously talented all-rounder, who made his international debut in the recent T20 Series win over Germany. Can make things happen with the ball and is a quality left-hand bat who can clear the fence with ease. Top scorer for SPA racking up 240 runs in 12 innings including three player of the match awards, showcasing his exquisite hitting. Plundered an unbeaten 65 off 28 balls vs Sweden in the second qualifier in week one.
Awais Ahmed, destructive wicket keeper batter, likes to take control of the game from ball one, third highest scorer for SPA racking up 179 runs in 12 innings including a quickfire 45 off 18 balls vs Norway.
Zulqarnain Haider, right arm pacer, has been impressive with the ball bowling good lines. Second highest wicket taker for Spain scalping 13 wickets in 11 games.
Jack Perman, classy top order batter, impressed with his quick run-scoring ability in the opening week, second highest scorer for SPA racking up 189 runs in 10 innings.
Italy have started off Championship Week in similar fashion to last week’s early action, losing both their matches on the opening day while hosts Spain now own the unwanted record of lowest ECC score ever. With not much time to recover for either side, momentum will be key heading into later on in the week.
Match Prediction: Italy (ITA) to seal a crucial win.
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | MATCH 8 (ECC21.080)
NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI) v ENGLAND XI (ENG XI)
1100 GMT | 1300 CET | 1630 IST
NED XI Group Stage Timeline: W W W W W W L W NR W (Avg Score For 130, Avg Score Against 92)
NED XI Championship WeekTimeline: W W (Avg Score For 118, Avg Score Against 55)
ENG XI Group Stage Timeline: W W W W L W W W W W (Avg Score For 128, Avg Score Against 91)
ENG XI Championship Week Timeline: W (Avg Score For 178, Avg Score Against 85)
NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI)
Captain: Sebastiaan Braat
Wicketkeeper: Ratha Alphonse
Projected Top Order: Musa Nadeem Ahmad, Clayton Floyd, Boris Gorlee, Sebastiaan Braat
Projected Opening Bowlers: Vivian Kingma, Ryan Klein
Spin Options: Clayton Floyd, Julian de Mey
Coach: Pierce Fletcher
NETHERLANDS XI Key Players:
Sebastiaan Braat, skipper with six T20 international matches to his name. A dynamic, fast bowling all-rounder with vast experience facing top quality opposition. Hasn’t enjoyed much opportunity to impress with the bat, but has managed 130 runs in 11 innings at a SR of 220. Has picked up 14 wickets with the ball including a best return of 3-10.
Boris Gorlee, young, up and coming talent, has represented the Dutch under-19 team, mustered an unbeaten 55 off 29 balls to bag his first player of the match award vs Romania. Third highest scorer for NED XI racking up 232 runs in 10 innings.
Musa Nadeem Ahmad, star batter, the left hander scored a quickfire 70* off 27 balls vs Spain on Monday to surpass Clayton Floyd as highest run scorer for NED XI amassing 282 runs in 11 knocks at a strike rate of 219. Has also picked up a couple of wickets and is a good outfielder.
Clayton Floyd, talented all-rounder and canny left-arm spinner. Mustered 115 off just 35 balls vs Romania in Week 2 racking up an historic first ever T10 international hundred. His knock included 15 towering maximos. Second highest scorer for NED XI racking up 259 runs in 10 innings and is the top wicket taker for his side picking up 15 wickets.
Julian De Mey, slow left arm orthodox, highly effective in the middle overs, joint second highest wicket taker for NED XI scalping 14 wickets in 11 games including a best return of 3-12.
Ryan Klein, right arm fast bowler, became only the second bowler to take a T10 international HAT-TRICK - scalping 3-14 vs Austria. Has taken a total of 10 wickets in 11 games.
ENGLAND XI (ENG XI)
Captain: Dan Lincoln
Wicketkeeper: Dan Lincoln, Alex Mellor
Projected Top Four: Dan Lincoln, Harrison Ward, Tom Bevan, Alex Mellor
Projected Opening Bowlers: Zum Ahktar, Andy Rishton, Rich Edwards
Spin Options: Alex Russell, Sam Pearce, Max Uttley, Tom Bevan
Coach: Tom Lambert
ENGLAND XI Key Players:
Sam Pearce, Wales captain and bowling all-rounder, he represented Glamorgan in the T20 Blast this summer and Royal London One Day Cup. Pearce also led Wales to the semi-finals of the NCCA fifty-overs competition this summer. Top wicket taker in the tournament picking up 18 wickets including a best return of 3-19.
Alex Mellor, the most experienced player in the side at 31 and a former Warwickshire CCC player. Third highest scorer for ENG XI racking up 172 runs in nine innings including a brilliant 70 off 26 balls vs CZR in Week 3.
Harrison Ward, the hard hitting left handed batter plays for Sussex CCC. Started off with a band but has gone cold in the last few games. He will look to finish on a high. Second highest scorer for ENG XI plundering 304 runs in 10 games at a strike rate of 247. Blasted an unbeaten 92 off 31 balls vs SPA on Monday.
Rich Edwards, right arm medium pacer and hard hitting lower order batter, third highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 11 wickets in 10 games.
Dan Lincoln, skipper, wicketkeeper and a former professional footballer with Reading FC, he has played for Glamorgan and Kent in the last two years in county cricket and brings experience to this young side. The right hander did not start well but has turned it around when it mattered with a blistering match winning century vs Italy in the Group C final. Top scorer for ENG XI with 355 runs in 11 games including an unbeaten 82 off 30 vs SPA on Monday.
Netherlands XI and England XI lock horns in the most anticipated match up of ECC21 so far. Both sides have played some high quality cricket so far and will be keen to stamp their authority here to earn bragging rights of being favourites to lift the coveted ECC trophy.
Match Prediction: England XI can edge a close victory, but NED XI have a high chance of winning this matchup if they bat first.
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | MATCH 9 (ECC21.081)
SPAIN (SPA) v AUSTRIA (AUT)
1300 GMT | 1500 CET | 1830 IST
SPA Group StageTimeline: LW NR W W W L W L W L (Avg Score For 119, Avg Score Against 113)
SPA Championship Week Timeline: L L (Avg Score For 62, Avg Score Against 153)
AUT Group Stage Timeline: W W L W L W W W NR W L (Avg Score For 121, Avg Score Against 111)
AUT Championship Week Timeline: L (Avg Score For 137, Avg Score Against 171)
SPAIN (SPA)
Captain: Christian Munoz-Mills
Wicketkeeper: Awais Ahmed
Projected Top Order: Awais Ahmed, Hamza Saleem, Jack Perman, Yasir Ali
Projected Opening Bowlers: Atif Mehmood, Adeel Raja
Spin Options: Jack Perman, Yasir Ali
Coach: Dave Gelling
SPAIN Key Players:
Kuldeep Lal, has caught the eye in ECS comps over the last two seasons for his all-round performances. Third highest wicket taker for SPA scalping 12 wickets in 12 games with a best return of 3-6. Scored an entertaining 46 off 20 balls opening the innings vs BEL to bag his first player of the match award of the tournament.
Hamza Saleem, Prodigiously talented all-rounder, who made his international debut in the recent T20 Series win over Germany. Can make things happen with the ball and is a quality left-hand bat who can clear the fence with ease. Top scorer for SPA racking up 240 runs in 12 innings including three player of the match awards, showcasing his exquisite hitting. Plundered an unbeaten 65 off 28 balls vs Sweden in the second qualifier in week one.
Awais Ahmed, destructive wicket keeper batter, likes to take control of the game from ball one, third highest scorer for SPA racking up 179 runs in 12 innings including a quickfire 45 off 18 balls vs Norway.
Zulqarnain Haider, right arm pacer, has been impressive with the ball bowling good lines. Second highest wicket taker for Spain scalping 13 wickets in 11 games.
Jack Perman, classy top order batter, impressed with his quick run-scoring ability in the opening week, second highest scorer for SPA racking up 189 runs in 10 innings.
AUSTRIA (AUT)
Captain: Razmal Shigiwal
Wicketkeeper: Abrar Bilal
Projected Top Order: Iqbal Hossain, Bilal Zalmai, Razmal Shigiwal, Abrar Bilal, Mirza Ahsan
Projected Opening Bowlers: Aqib Iqbal, Sahel Zadran
Spin Options: Sahel Zadran, Sahil Momin, Iqbal Hossain
Coach: Marcel Biersteker
AUSTRIA Key Players:
Razmal Shigiwal, hard hitting batter, started off Week 2 with a bang plundering 96 runs in just 28 balls including 11 HUGE maximos against Romania. Scored a valiant 78* off 31 vs BEL on Monday. Highest scorer for Austria mustering 304 runs in 10 innings.
Iqbal Hossain, aggressive opening batter, second highest scorer for AUT, hammered 299 runs in 11 innings including a blistering 64* off 29 balls vs HUN. Has bagged three player of the match awards.
Aqib Iqbal, young, energetic fast bowler, capable of swinging the ball in the air and off the deck, second highest wicket taker for AUT picking up NINE wickets with a best return of 3-4.
Bilal Zalmai, the hard hitting opening batter has been included in the Austria side for the Championship Week to boost the AUT batting. The all-rounder has amassed 618 runs at a SR of 206 and picked up 12 wickets in 22 ECS matches.
Coming into this encounter, both teams will probably be winless (in Championship Week) and be desperately eyeing a win here to get off the mark.
Match Prediction: Austria (AUT) to trump Spain.
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | MATCH 10 (ECC21.082)
ENGLAND XI (ENG XI) v BELGIUM (BEL)
1500 GMT | 1700 CET | 2030 IST
ENG XI Group Stage Timeline: W W W W L W W W W W (Avg Score For 128, Avg Score Against 91)
ENG XI Championship Week Timeline: W (Avg Score For 178, Avg Score Against 85)
BEL Group StageTimeline: W W W W L W L L W W (Avg Score For 134, Avg Score Against 119)
BEL Championship Week Timeline: W W (Avg Score For 162, Avg Score Against 113)
ENGLAND XI (ENG XI)
Captain: Dan Lincoln
Wicketkeeper: Dan Lincoln, Alex Mellor
Projected Top Four: Dan Lincoln, Harrison Ward, Tom Bevan, Alex Mellor
Projected Opening Bowlers: Zum Ahktar, Andy Rishton, Rich Edwards
Spin Options: Alex Russell, Sam Pearce, Max Uttley, Tom Bevan
Coach: Tom Lambert
ENGLAND XI Key Players:
Sam Pearce, Wales captain and bowling all-rounder, he represented Glamorgan in the T20 Blast this summer and Royal London One Day Cup. Pearce also led Wales to the semi-finals of the NCCA fifty-overs competition this summer. Top wicket taker in the tournament picking up 18 wickets including a best return of 3-19.
Alex Mellor, the most experienced player in the side at 31 and a former Warwickshire CCC player. Third highest scorer for ENG XI racking up 172 runs in nine innings including a brilliant 70 off 26 balls vs CZR in Week 3.
Harrison Ward, the hard hitting left handed batter plays for Sussex CCC. Started off with a band but has gone cold in the last few games. He will look to finish on a high. Second highest scorer for ENG XI plundering 304 runs in 10 games at a strike rate of 247. Blasted an unbeaten 92 off 31 balls vs SPA on Monday.
Rich Edwards, right arm medium pacer and hard hitting lower order batter, third highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 11 wickets in 10 games.
Dan Lincoln, skipper, wicketkeeper and a former professional footballer with Reading FC, he has played for Glamorgan and Kent in the last two years in county cricket and brings experience to this young side. The right hander did not start well but has turned it around when it mattered with a blistering match winning century vs Italy in the Group C final. Top scorer for ENG XI with 355 runs in 11 games including an unbeaten 82 off 30 vs SPA on Monday.
BELGIUM (BEL)
Captain: Sheikh Sheraz
Wicketkeeper: Ali Raza
Projected Top Order: Aziz Mohammad, Muneeb Muhammad, Faisal Mehmood, Sheikh Sheraz, Saber Zakhil
Projected Opening Bowlers: Shagharai Sefat, Adnan Razzaq, Khalid Ahmadi
Spin Options: SheikhSheraz, Murid Ekrami
Coach: Abhijit Harikrishna Khan
BELGIUM Key Players:
Saber Zakhil, fearsome hitter, currently lies fourth in the world for sixes hit this year in T20i with 19 in seven matches. Highest scorer for BEL plundering 273 runs at a SR of 237 and deservedly bagged three player of the match awards. He can also chip in with crucial wickets in the middle overs and has picked up SEVEN wickets so far.
Aziz Mohammad, destructive right handed batter who has impressed in ECS tournaments in Spain last season and most recently in the Netherlands. Mustered 88 runs in six games at a sprightly SR of 282 in the opening week before being injured. The opener blasted 96 runs in two games on Monday taking his tally to 184 runs in eight games.
Ali Raza, wicket keeper batter, very good behind the stumps and equally better in-front of it. Third highest scorer for BEL racking up 178 runs in 11 games including a 21-ball 57 vs Sweden in first week.
SheikhSheraz, captain who leads by example with bat and ball. Played a few crucial knocks in the opening week leading his side to victories mustering a total of 122 runs in the process.
Omid Rahimi, fearsome right handed batter, one of the best finishers in the tournament, has plundered 155 runs at a strike rate of over 246. Has scored over 86% of his runs in boundaries.
Adnan Razzaq, right arm pacer who has decent pace and is consistent with the ball. Highest wicket taker for his side scalping 12 wickets.
Belgium really caught the eye on Monday with some brutal hitting. BEL will find the England bowling a trifle more menacing, while the England batters can be equally savage on any loose bowling. England are favourites, but Belgium could run them close.
Match Prediction: England XI (ENG XI) to win an entertaining affair.
