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 19 of the 2021 Dream11 European Cricket Championship on Thursday 7 October.
Super Thursday has arrived with Italy, Austria and Spain eyeing the last spot for Finals Day Friday .
Championship Week - Standings
ENG XI England XI (4-1, 9 pts NRR+3.753) [9-1 in Group C]
BEL Belgium (3-2, 7 pts, NRR+1.814) [7-3 in Group A]
NED XI Netherlands XI (3-2, 7 pts, NRR+1.502) [8-1-1 in Group B]
ITA Italy (2-3, 4 pts, NRR-0.318) [6-5 in Group C]
AUT Austria (2-3, 4 pts, NRR-1.170) [7-3-1 in Group B]
SPA Spain (1-4, 2 pts, NRR-5.382) (6-4-1 in Group A]
European Cricket Championship 2021
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | PLAYOFF 1 - MATCH 16 (ECC21.088)
ENGLAND XI (ENG XI) v NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI)
0700 GMT | 0900 CET | 1230 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 W L W W (Avg Score For 140, Avg Score Against 102)
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 L L W (Avg Score For 108, Avg Score Against 93)
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 21 wickets including a best return of 3-19. Took ENG XI to a memorable win vs NED XI blasting 28 off 10 balls.
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 279 runs in 13 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 363 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 249. Blasted an unbeaten 92 off 31 balls vs SPA on Monday.
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. Second highest scorer in the tournament with 406 runs in 15 games.
Rich Edwards, right arm medium pacer and hard hitting lower order batter, third highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 17 wickets in 14 games. Returned figures of 1-1 vs NED XI on Tuesday.
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. has muscled 155 runs in 14 innings at a SR of 209. Has picked up 18 wickets with the ball including a best return of 4-16.
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 285 runs in 13 innings.
Musa Nadeem Ahmad, star batter, the left hander scored a quickfire 70* off 27 balls vs Spain on Monday, second highest run scorer for NED XI amassing 304 runs in 14 knocks. Can also roll his arm if needed, has picked up a couple of wickets, he 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. Highest scorer for NED XI racking up 331 runs in 13 innings and is now the second highest wicket taker in the tournament picking up 19 wickets.
Julian De Mey, slow left arm orthodox, highly effective in the middle overs, joint third highest wicket taker for NED XI scalping 15 wickets in 14 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 15 wickets in 14 games.
These two teams played out a thriller in their previous meeting with England XI just coming out on top. Netherlands XI will be seeking revenge when they take the field for the first playoff match on Thursday.
Last time they met: ECC21.080 | ENG XI 92(8.5) def NED XI 88 (5 Oct 2021)
Match Prediction: England XI (ENG XI) to win another close game against NED XI.
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | ELIMINATOR 1 - MATCH 17 (ECC21.089)
AUSTRIA (AUT) v SPAIN (SPA)
0900 GMT | 1100 CET | 1430 IST
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 W W L L (Avg Score For 124, Avg Score Against 136)
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 L L W (Avg Score For 92, Avg Score Against 145)
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, Shahil 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. Second highest scorer for Austria mustering 323 runs in 14 innings.
Iqbal Hossain, aggressive opening batter, highest scorer for AUT, hammered 366 runs in 15 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 12 wickets with a best return of 3-4.
Shahil Momin, slow left arm orthodox, very talented, has a good cricketing brain and is a decent batsman as well. Bagged back-to-back man of the match awards for his all-round performances scoring a total of 81 runs and picking up three wickets in two games on Tuesday. Has racked up a total of 154 runs in 10 innings and picked up NINE wickets.
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 scored a crucial 43 off 18 balls vs Spain on Tuesday. Has racked up 113 runs in five games and has picked up three wickets so far.
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 13 wickets in 15 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 339 runs in 15 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. Smashed another fifty vs AUT - 72* off 25 balls on Tuesday.
Atif Mehmood, the left arm medium pacer is the death over specialist for Spain and has been very successful throughout the tournament picking up 14 wickets in 13 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 259 runs in 13 innings.
Hosts Spain and Austria lock horns to avoid an early exit. Spain are coming into this game on the back of a long-awaited win against Belgium and have to keep the momentum going. Austria will be surprised to find themselves in this situation, but they only have themselves to blame after losing both their games on Wednesday to finish in fifth behind Italy.
Last time they met: ECC21.081 | AUT 140(9.4) def SPA 139 (5 Oct 2021)
Match Prediction: Austria (AUT) to stay alive in the tournament with a win.
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | PLAYOFF 2 - MATCH 18 (ECC21.090)
ENGLAND XI (ENG XI) v BELGIUM (BEL)
1100 GMT | 1300 CET | 1630 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 W L W W (Avg Score For 140, Avg Score Against 102)
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 W L L (Avg Score For 139, Avg Score Against 121)
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 21 wickets including a best return of 3-19. Took ENG XI to a memorable win vs NED XI blasting 28 off 10 balls.
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 279 runs in 13 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 363 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 249. Blasted an unbeaten 92 off 31 balls vs SPA on Monday.
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. Second highest scorer in the tournament with 406 runs in 15 games.
Rich Edwards, right arm medium pacer and hard hitting lower order batter, third highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 17 wickets in 14 games. Returned figures of 1-1 vs NED XI on Tuesday.
BELGIUM (BEL)
Captain: Sheikh Sheraz
Wicketkeeper: Ali Raza
Projected Top Order: Aziz Mohammad, Muneeb Muhammad, Ali Raza, Sheikh Sheraz, Saber Zakhil
Projected Opening Bowlers: 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. Second highest scorer for BEL plundering 277 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 has looked in tremendous touch this week taking his total run tally to 257 runs in 11 games.
Ali Raza, wicket keeper batter, very good behind the stumps and equally better in-front of it. Highest scorer for BEL racking up 343 runs in 14 innings including a 21-ball 57 vs Sweden in first week and blasting 56 off 23 vs ENG XI on Tuesday. Has FOUR fifties to his name - joint most in ECC21.
Adnan Razzaq, right arm pacer who has decent pace and is consistent with the ball. Highest wicket taker for his side scalping 13 wickets in 12 games.
After an imperious start with three wins on the trot, Belgium will be disappointed with the two sloppy losses suffered on Wednesday and will be keen to turn things around.
Last time they met: ECC21.082 | BEL 136(8.3) def ENG XI 133 (5 Oct 2021)
Match Prediction: England XI (ENG XI) to avenge that previous loss on Tuesday.
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | ELIMINATOR 2 - MATCH 19 (ECC21.091)
ITALY (ITA) v SPAIN (SPA)
1300 GMT | 1500 CET | 1830 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 W L W (Avg Score For 108, Avg Score Against 111)
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 L L W W (Avg Score For 98, Avg Score Against 141)
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, Damith Kosala
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 288 runs in 15 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 10 wickets.
Amir Sharif, right handed batter and right arm pacer, capable of swinging the ball away from the right hander at pace, has scalped 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 433 runs in 16 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 16 wickets in 12 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 205 runs in 14 games including a match winning 51* off 22 vs CZR in the Eliminator.
Damith Kosala, wily left arm spinner, third highest wicket taker for ITA picking up 14 wickets including a HAT-TRICK against AUT on Wednesday.
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. Joint second highest wicket taker for SPA scalping 14 wickets in 16 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 389 runs in 16 innings including FOUR 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. Has smashed FOUR fifties in the tournament - joining Sharm Gomes and Ali Raza.
Yasir Ali, consistently one of the best batsmen in Spain over the last decade and can chip in with vital wickets with the ball. The all-rounder struggled in the opening week but seems to have found his form back towards the business end of the tournament. The opener scored an unbeaten 46 off 28 balls vs AUT in the first eliminator.
Atif Mehmood, the left arm medium pacer is the death over specialist for Spain and has been very successful throughout the tournament picking up 14 wickets in 14 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 272 runs in 14 innings.
Italy finished fourth after beating Austria in the final round robin game of the Championship Week. The hosts Spain have suddenly found their groove and are on a two match winning streak. SPA will look to carry that momentum forward and Italy might find it tough to stop the in-form Spanish side.
Last time they met: ECC21.079 | ITA 180 def SPA 84 (5 Oct 2021)
Match Prediction: Italy (ITA) to win a close contest and qualify for Finals Day Friday.
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | PLAYOFF 3 - MATCH 20 (ECC21.092)
BELGIUM (BEL) v NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI)
1500 GMT | 1700 CET | 2030 IST
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 W L L (Avg Score For 139, Avg Score Against 121)
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 L L W (Avg Score For 108, Avg Score Against 93)
BELGIUM (BEL)
Captain: Sheikh Sheraz
Wicketkeeper: Ali Raza
Projected Top Order: Aziz Mohammad, Muneeb Muhammad,Ali Raza, Sheikh Sheraz,Saber Zakhil
Projected Opening Bowlers:Adnan Razzaq, Khalid Ahmadi
Spin Options:Sheikh Sheraz,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. Second highest scorer for BEL plundering 277 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 has looked in tremendous touch this week taking his total run tally to 257 runs in 11 games.
Ali Raza, wicket keeper batter, very good behind the stumps and equally better in-front of it. Highest scorer for BEL racking up 343 runs in 14 innings including a 21-ball 57 vs Sweden in first week and blasting 56 off 23 vs ENG XI on Tuesday. Has FOUR fifties to his name - joint most in ECC21.
Adnan Razzaq, right arm pacer who has decent pace and is consistent with the ball. Highest wicket taker for his side scalping 13 wickets in 12 games.
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. has muscled 155 runs in 14 innings at a SR of 209. Has picked up 18 wickets with the ball including a best return of 4-16.
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 285 runs in 13 innings.
Musa Nadeem Ahmad, star batter, the left hander scored a quickfire 70* off 27 balls vs Spain on Monday, second highest run scorer for NED XI amassing 304 runs in 14 knocks. Can also roll his arm if needed, has picked up a couple of wickets, he 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. Highest scorer for NED XI racking up 331 runs in 13 innings and is now the second highest wicket taker in the tournament picking up 19 wickets.
Julian De Mey, slow left arm orthodox, highly effective in the middle overs, joint third highest wicket taker for NED XI scalping 15 wickets in 14 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 15 wickets in 14 games.
Netherlands XI lost to ENG XI earlier in the day and will be keen to finish in the top two with a win. Belgium enjoyed a good start to Championship Week, but lost the plot on Wednesday slipping to two losses.
Last time they met: ECC21.084 | NED XI 132 def BEL 121 (6 Oct 2021)
Match Prediction: Belgium (BEL) to win a thriller.
