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 four T10 matches on Day 20 of the 2021 Dream11 European Cricket Championship on Friday 8 October.
With 92 exciting T10 games in the books, we have reached the business end of the inaugural Dream11 European Cricket Championship. Which team will be crowned CHAMPIONS!!
Teams
ENG XI England XI (15-2 Overall)
BEL Belgium (11-6 Overall)
NED XI Netherlands XI (11-5-1 Overall)
SPA Spain (9-8-1 Overall)
ITA Italy (8-9 Overall) [Eliminated]
AUT Austria (9-7-1 Overall) [Eliminated]
European Cricket Championship 2021
__________________
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | FINAL - MATCH 24 (ECC21.096)
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 W L W W W W W (Avg Score For 141, 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 L W L W (Avg Score For 138, 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 23 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 307 runs in 16 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. Highest scorer in the tournament plundering 534 runs in 17 games at a strike rate of 266. Blasted two half centuries on Thursday and now has joint most fifties, FOUR, to his name.
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 514 runs in 18 games.
Rich Edwards, right arm medium pacer and hard hitting lower order batter, joint second highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 19 wickets in 17 games. Returned figures of 1-1 vs NED XI on Tuesday. Took ENG XI to an unlikely victory in the first qualifier hitting a precious MAXIMO in only his second ball.
Alex Russell, hugely talented leg spinner,academy graduate at Gloucestershire CCC, joint second highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 19 wickets in 13 games with a best return of 3-4 vs GER.
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 334 runs at a SR of 239 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 404 runs in 15 games at a staggering strike rate of 274. Has also picked up NINE wickets.
Ali Raza, wicket keeper batter, very good behind the stumps and equally better in-front of it. Second highest scorer for BEL amassing 400 runs in 18 innings. Has been in good form racking up FOUR fifties to his name - joint most in ECC21.
Waqas Raja, right arm medium pacer, has been impressive this tournament picking up 12 wickets in eight matches and is the second highest wicket taker for BEL.
With the two highest run scorers in the tournament in Harrison Ward and captain Dan Lincoln, England will be favourites for the trophy. Belgium will be gunning for revenge after losing a last-ball thriller earlier in the day. There’s sure to be plenty of spice in this one with the magnificent Dream11 European Cricket Championship trophy up for grabs.
Last time they met: ECC21.094 | ENG XI 95 def BEL 94 (8 Oct 2021)
Match Prediction: England XI (ENG XI) to win the inaugural Dream11 European Cricket Championship at the Cartama Oval in Malaga, Spain.
__________________
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | QUALIFIER 2 - MATCH 23 (ECC21.095)
BELGIUM (BEL) v NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI)
1200 GMT | 1400 CET | 1730 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 L W L (Avg Score For 137, Avg Score Against 111)
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 L L W (Avg Score For 111, Avg Score Against 101)
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 313 runs at a SR of 236 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 348 runs in 14 games at a staggering strike rate of 280. Has also picked up SIX wickets.
Ali Raza, wicket keeper batter, very good behind the stumps and equally better in-front of it. Highest scorer for BEL amassing 379 runs in 17 innings. Has been in good form racking up 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 15 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 185 runs in 16 innings. Has picked up 20 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 344 runs in 16 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 335 runs in 17 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 435 runs in 16 innings and has picked up 21 wickets.
Vivian Kingma, fast bowler with international experience. He featured in the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup squad. A capable new ball bowler who can move the ball in the air and off the pitch. Bowled well in Week 2 without much success but has been among wickets of late. Has picked up 14 wickets in 17 games.
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 16 wickets in 17 games.
Netherlands regained form in their impressive win over the hosts Spain. Belgium came agonizingly close to winning the first qualifier against ENG XI. BEL will have to forget that loss quickly and move on to focus on this encounter. NED XI might fancy their chances considering the Belgians will be low on confidence after that heartbreaking loss.
Last time they met: ECC21.092 | BEL 98(8.1) def NED XI 93 (7 Oct 2021)
Match Prediction: Netherlands XI (NED XI) to edge a narrow win.
__________________
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | ELIMINATOR 3 - MATCH 21 (ECC21.093)
NETHERLANDS XI (NED XI) v SPAIN (SPA)
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 Week Timeline: W W L L W L L (Avg Score For 107, Avg Score Against 104)
SPA Group Stage Timeline: 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 W (Avg Score For 102, Avg Score Against 138)
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 185 runs in 16 innings. 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 320 runs in 15 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 323 runs in 16 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 352 runs in 15 innings and is now the joint highest wicket taker in the tournament picking up 21 wickets.
Vivian Kingma, fast bowler with international experience. He featured in the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup squad. A capable new ball bowler who can move the ball in the air and off the pitch. Bowled well in Week 2 without much success but has been among wickets of late.
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 16 wickets in 16 games.
SPAIN (SPA)
Captain: Christian Munoz-Mills
Wicketkeeper: Awais Ahmed
Projected Top Order: Awais Ahmed, Yasir Ali, Jack Perman, Hamza Saleem
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 17 games with a best return of 3-6. Has also scored 119 runs.
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 17 innings including FOUR player of the match awards, showcasing his exquisite hitting. Has smashed FOUR fifties in the tournament - joint most in the tournament.
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 16 wickets in 15 games.
Jack Perman, classy top order batter, impressed with his quick run-scoring ability in the opening week, has continued his good run this week, second highest scorer for SPA racking up 314 runs in 15 innings. Has played a crucial role in taking Spain to Finals Day Friday.
The hosts Spain have suddenly found their groove and are on a three-match winning streak while Netherlands XI have managed to win just one game in their last five appearances; after illness struck the camp. Spain will seek to keep the momentum going and eye another upset.
Last time they met: ECC21.074 | NED XI 128 def SPA 38 (4 Oct 2021)
Match Prediction: Netherlands XI (NED XI) to bounce back with a comprehensive win.
__________________
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK | QUALIFIER 1 - MATCH 22 (ECC21.094)
ENGLAND XI (ENG XI) v BELGIUM (BEL)
0900 GMT | 1100 CET | 1430 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 W W (Avg Score For 149, Avg Score Against 104)
BEL Group Stage Timeline: 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 L W 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. Joint 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 294 runs in 15 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. The opener had gone cold for a while but is back among the runs. Highest scorer in the tournament plundering 512 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of 268. Blasted two half centuries on Thursday and now has joint most fifties, FOUR, to his name.
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 482 runs in 17 games.
Rich Edwards, right arm medium pacer and hard hitting lower order batter, joint second highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 18 wickets in 16 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: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 298 runs at a SR of 235 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 348 runs in 13 games at a staggering strike rate of 280. The opener has the best strike rate (minimum two innings). Has also picked up SIX wickets.
Ali Raza, wicket keeper batter, very good behind the stumps and equally better in-front of it. Highest scorer for BEL amassing 375 runs in 16 innings. Has been in good form racking up 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 14 games.
England XI appear invincible at the moment and have become hot favourites to lift the trophy. But if there is any team that can stop ENG XI, it’s Belgium. Despite succumbing to three losses after a fast start, BEL bounced back to winning ways by beating a strong NED XI. Both sides have beaten each other previously and will be eyeing another win to earn bragging rights.
Last time they met: ECC21.090 | ENG XI 179 def BEL 99 (7 Oct 2021)
Match Prediction: England XI (ENG XI) to progress through to the Final.
