The new and fresh venture sees 15 teams feature in three groups of five, with each group meeting over a separate week of T10 action. Each group will feature 24 T10 games - a double round-robin and a playoff. The leading two countries in each group will advance to a Finals Week scheduled from October 4-8 in Spain.
European Cricket Network live broadcasts four T10 matches on Day 15 of the 2021 Dream11 European Cricket Championship on Friday 1 October.
With 20 exciting T10 games in the books, we have reached the business end of Group C action in the Dream11 European Cricket Championship. Which two sides will qualify for Championship Week at the start of October at the superb Cartama Oval in Spain?
Group C
ENG XI England XI (7-1, NRR+4.096)
GER Germany (5-3, NRR-0.263)
ITA Italy (4-4, NRR+0.690)
CZR Czech Republic (3-5, NRR-2.228)
FIN Finland (1-7, NRR-2.240)
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GROUP C | FINAL - MATCH 24 (ECC21.072)
ENGLAND XI (ENG XI) v ITALY (ITA)
1500 GMT | 1700 CET | 2030 IST
ENG XI Timeline: W W W W L W W W W (Avg Score For 125, Avg Score Against 85)
ITA Timeline: L L L L W W W W W W (Avg Score For 112, Avg Score Against 98)
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: Euan Woods, 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 for ENG XI picking up 14 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. Second highest scorer for ENG XI racking up 172 runs in eight games including a brilliant 70 off 26 balls vs CZR on Wednesday.
Harrison Ward, the hard hitting left handed batsman 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. Highest scorer for ENG XI plundering 207 runs in eight games at a strike rate of 249.
Alex Russell, hugely talented leg spinner,academy graduate at Gloucestershire CCC, second highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping 10 wickets at an ER of 5.91 including a best return of 3-4 vs GER. He has the best economy rate in the tournament so far.
Rich Edwards, right arm medium pacer and hard hitting lower order batsman, third highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping NINE wickets.
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. Has been in good touch of late racking up 168 runs in nine games.
ITALY (ITA)
Captain: Baljit Singh
Wicket Keeper: Nisar Ahmed
Projected Top Order: Nisar Ahmed, Amir Sharif, Hassan Ahmad, Simranjit Singh
Projected Opening Bowlers: Muhammad Imran, Ravi Paul, Amir Sharif
Spin Options: Adnan Muhammad, Jorawar Singh
Coach: KI Kamal
ITALY Key Players:
Baljit Singh, right arm medium pacer with good numbers in international T20. The experienced campaigner can also swing the bat hard. Third highest scorer for ITA racking up 149 runs in nine innings. Muscled a brilliant match winning 43* off 20 balls vs ENG XI to take his side to a first ECC win. Has also picked up EIGHT wickets.
Hassan Ahmad, hard hitting batter, played a vital role in Jinnah Brescia’s surge to the FanCode ECS Italy Brescia title earlier this year, third highest scorer for Italy racking up 91 runs in six innings.
Amir Sharif, right handed batter and right arm pacer, played for Fresh Tropical in the ECS, capable of swinging the ball away from the right hander at pace, top wicket taker in the tournament so far scalping 16 wickets including a best return of 4-19 vs GER in the opening game. Highest run scorer for ITA blasting 296 runs in 10 games including 80* off just 26 balls in the Eliminator and 57* off 24 in the second qualifier.
Jaspreet Singh, right arm medium pacer, has been good throughout the tournament picking up 12 wickets in seven games with a best return of 3-7 sv CZR.
Nisar Ahmed, wicket keeper batsman, has plenty of T10 experience playing in the ECS, second highest scorer for ITA racking up 157 runs in eight games including a match winning 51* off 22 vs CZR in the Eliminator.
Ravi Paul, left arm pacer, can swing the ball into the right hander and move it away with the angle, has good variations as well. Picked up 2-24 vs GER in the first game on Monday. Returned to the side on Thursday and bagged 4-7 against Germany in the last group stage game. Has picked up a total of SEVEN wickets in six games.
Apart from that shock loss to Italy, England XI have been dominating Group C with eight wins in nine games. ENG XI will be wary of the Italians and will not take them lightly especially when ITA are on a six match winning streak.
After losing their first four games, Italy have turned things around superbly winning the next six in dominant fashion including a 10-wicket victory over the Czechs and a 9-wicket win over the Germans earlier in the day. ITA will be confident going into this game having trumped ENG XI earlier in the week.
Last time they met: ECC21.059 | ITA 90(9.2) def ENG XI 87 (29 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Italy (ITA) to win an entertaining affair against England XI and carry an extra point in the Championship Week.
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GROUP C | 2ND QUALIFIER - MATCH 23 (ECC21.071)
GERMANY (GER) v ITALY (ITA)
1200 GMT | 1400 CET | 1730 IST
GER Timeline: W L W L W W W L L (Avg Score For 100, Avg Score Against 105)
ITA Timeline: L L L L W W W W W (Avg Score For 109, Avg Score Against 100)
GERMANY (GER)
Captain: Rohit Singh
Wicket Keeper: Husnain Kabeer
Projected Top Order: Yasub Muhammad, Shoaib Azam, Rohit Singh, Husnain Kabeer
Projected Opening Bowlers: Zadran Nasrullah, Shahir Malikzai
Spin Options: Abdul Shakoor Rahimzei
Coach: Steve Knox
GERMANY Key Players:
Shoaib Azam, reliable opening batter, led Kummerfelder Sportverein to victory at FanCode ECS Germany Kiel earlier this year, took GER to victory with his scintillating knock of 44* off just 19 balls, has picked up SEVEN wickets with the ball and has scored a total of 105 runs.
Rohit Singh, star German International, has quite a few international records to his name, top scorer for GER racking up 231 runs and three man of the match awards in the process. Has also picked up SIX wickets.
Fayaz Nasseri, the right arm medium pacer was the most impressive bowler on day one of Group C action scalping SIX wickets in two games including 4-11 against a strong ENG XI batting lineup. Has continued in that vein, picking up a total of 13 wickets in seven games and has also mustered 115 runs at an impressive SR of 261.
Sreekesh Srinivas, right arm off-break bowler, has been consistent with the ball picking up SEVEN wickets in nine games with a best return of 3-17.
ITALY (ITA)
Captain: Baljit Singh
Wicket Keeper: Nisar Ahmed
Projected Top Order: Nisar Ahmed, Amir Sharif, Hassan Ahmad, Simranjit Singh
Projected Opening Bowlers: Muhammad Imran, Ravi Paul, Amir Sharif
Spin Options: Adnan Muhammad, Jorawar Singh
Coach: KI Kamal
ITALY Key Players:
Baljit Singh, right arm medium pacer with good numbers in international T20. The experienced campaigner can also swing the bat hard. Third highest scorer for ITA racking up 140 runs in eight innings. Muscled a brilliant match winning 43* off 20 balls vs ENG XI to take his side to a first ECC win. Has also picked up SEVEN wickets.
Hassan Ahmad, hard hitting batter, played a vital role in Jinnah Brescia’s surge to the FanCode ECS Italy Brescia title earlier this year, third highest scorer for Italy racking up 91 runs in six innings.
Amir Sharif, right handed batter and right arm pacer, played for Fresh Tropical in the ECS, capable of swinging the ball away from the right hander at pace, top wicket taker in the tournament so far scalping 15 wickets including a best return of 4-19 vs GER in the opening game. Highest run scorer for ITA blasting 239 runs in nine games including 80* off just 26 balls in the Eliminator.
Jaspreet Singh, right arm medium pacer, has been good throughout the tournament picking up 10 wickets in seven games with a best return of 3-7 sv CZR.
Nisar Ahmed, wicket keeper batsman, has plenty of T10 experience playing in the ECS, second highest scorer for ITA racking up 141 runs in seven games including a match winning 51* off 22 vs CZR in the Eliminator.
Ravi Paul, left arm pacer, can swing the ball into the right hander and move it away with the angle, has good variations as well. Picked up 2-24 vs GER in the first game on Monday. Returned to the side on Thursday and bagged 4-7 against Germany in the last group stage game.
After losing their first four games, Italy have turned things around superbly winning the next five in dominant fashion including a 10-wicket victory over the Czechs earlier in the day. With momentum on their side, ITA will fancy their chances against the Germans. Germany are coming into this game on the back of two straight losses but will be keen to avenge previous loss and progress to Championship Week.
Last time they met: ECC21.068 | ITA 119 def GER 84 (30 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Italy (ITA) to rack up sixth consecutive victory and qualify for Championship Week.
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GROUP C | ELIMINATOR - MATCH 21 (ECC21.069)
ITALY (ITA) v CZECH REPUBLIC (CZR)
0700 GMT | 0900 CET | 1230 IST
ITA Timeline: L L L L W W W W (Avg Score For 101, Avg Score Against 95)
CZR Timeline: W W W L L L L L (Avg Score For 89, Avg Score Against 111)
ITALY (ITA)
Captain: Baljit Singh
Wicket Keeper: Nisar Ahmed
Projected Top Order: Nisar Ahmed, Amir Sharif, Hassan Ahmad, Simranjit Singh
Projected Opening Bowlers: Muhammad Imran, Ravi Paul, Amir Sharif
Spin Options: Adnan Muhammad, Jorawar Singh
Coach: KI Kamal
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 140 runs in eight games. Muscled a brilliant match winning 43* off 20 balls vs ENG XI to take his side to a first ECC win. Has also picked up SIX wickets.
Hassan Ahmad, hard hitting batter, played a vital role in Jinnah Brescia’s surge to the FanCode ECS Italy Brescia title earlier this year, third highest scorer for Italy racking up 91 runs in six innings.
Amir Sharif, right handed batter and right arm pacer, played for Fresh Tropical in the ECS, capable of swinging the ball away from the right hander at pace, top wicket taker in the tournament so far scalping 15 wickets including a best return of 4-19 vs GER in the opening game. Highest run scorer for ITA blasting 159 runs in eight games.
Jaspreet Singh, right arm medium pacer, has been good throughout the tournament picking up EIGHT wickets in six games with a best return of 3-7 sv CZR.
Ravi Paul, left arm pacer, can swing the ball into the right hander and move it away with the angle, has good variations as well. Picked up 2-24 vs GER in the first game on Monday. Returned to the side on Thursday and bagged 4-7 against Germany in the last group stage game.
CZECH REPUBLIC (CZR)
Captain: Arun Ashokan
Wicket Keeper: Hilal Ahmad
Projected Top Order: Sabawoon Davizi, Arun Ashokan, Sudesh Wickramasekara, Aakash Parmar
Projected Opening Bowlers: Sabawoon Davizi, Ali Waqar
Spin Options: Keyur Mehta, Naveed Ahmed, Arun Ashokan
Coach: Alex Sirisena
Sudesh Wickramasekara, known as “The Beast” for his hard hitting abilities, joint World Record holder for fastest ton in T20Is off just 35 balls. Can also bowl gentle medium pacers. Highest scorer for CZR racking up 159 runs in eight games, has bagged a couple of man of the match awards. He has also scalped SIX wickets and is second highest wicket taker for CZR.
Sabawoon Davizi, star all-rounder, vastly experienced in the T10 format, third highest wicket taker for CZR picking up FIVE wickets. The left hander has also scored 128 runs in eight games.
Arun Ashokan, captain, classy opening batter, has looked good at the top of the order providing solid starts to his side, second highest scorer for CZR racking up 145 runs in eight games including an unbeaten 75 off 28 balls vs FIN on Tuesday.
Satyajit Sengupta, the right arm medium pacer returned tournament best figures of 4-6 against Finland on Monday bettering the previous record of 4-10 by Azam Khalil and Abhishek Kheterpal. Top wicket taker for CZR scalping 10 wickets in eight games.
After losing their first four games, Italy have turned things around superbly winning the next four in dominant fashion. ITA have momentum on their side and look strong favourites against a struggling Czech Republic side. After making a fast start early in the tournament with three straight wins, CZR have slumped to five consecutive defeats and looked a tired side.
Last time they met: ECC21.065 | ITA 49(5.5) def CZR 48 (30 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: Italy (ITA) to progress to the second qualifier.
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GROUP C | 1ST QUALIFIER - MATCH 22 (ECC21.070)
ENGLAND XI (ENG XI) v GERMANY (GER)
0900 GMT | 1100 CET | 1430 IST
ENG XI Timeline: W W W W L W W W (Avg Score For 125, Avg Score Against 84)
GER Timeline: W L W L W W W L (Avg Score For 100, Avg Score Against 103)
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: Euan Woods, 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 for ENG XI picking up 12 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. Highest scorer for ENG XI racking up 163 runs in seven games including a brilliant 70 off 26 balls vs CZR on Wednesday.
Harrison Ward, the hard hitting left handed batsman 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. Third highest scorer for ENG XI on plundering 156 runs in seven games at a strike rate of 240.
Alex Russell, hugely talented leg spinner,academy graduate at Gloucestershire CCC, joint second highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping NINE wickets at an ER of 5.66 including a best return of 3-4 vs GER. He has the best economy rate in the tournament so far.
Rich Edwards, right arm medium pacer and hard hitting lower order batsman, Joint second highest wicket taker for ENG XI scalping NINE wickets.
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. Has been in good touch of late racking up 162 runs in eight games.
GERMANY (GER)
Captain: Rohit Singh
Wicket Keeper: Husnain Kabeer
Projected Top Order: Yasub Muhammad, Shoaib Azam, Rohit Singh, Husnain Kabeer
Projected Opening Bowlers: Zadran Nasrullah, Shahir Malikzai
Spin Options: Abdul Shakoor Rahimzei
Coach: Steve Knox
GERMANY Key Players:
Shoaib Azam, reliable opening batter, led Kummerfelder Sportverein to victory at FanCode ECS Germany Kiel earlier this year, took GER to victory with his scintillating knock of 44* off just 19 balls, has picked up SEVEN wickets with the ball and has scored a total of 105 runs.
Rohit Singh, star German International, has quite a few international records to his name, top scorer for GER racking up 214 runs and three man of the match awards in the process. Has also picked up SIX wickets.
Fayaz Nasseri, the right arm medium pacer was the most impressive bowler on day one of Group C action scalping SIX wickets in two games including 4-11 against a strong ENG XI batting lineup. Has continued in that vein, picking up a total of 13 wickets in seven games and has also mustered 84 runs at an impressive SR of 280.
Sreekesh Srinivas, right arm off-break bowler, has been consistent with the ball picking up SEVEN wickets in eight games with a best return of 3-17.
Apart from that shock loss to Italy, England XI have been dominating Group C with seven wins in eight. Germany have played really well to finish in the top two and will be hoping to cause an upset and qualify automatically for Championship Week.
Last time they met: ECC21.058 | ENG XI 135 def GER 89 (28 Sep 2021)
Match Prediction: England XI (ENG XI) to qualify for the final and book their spot at Championship week.
