English champions Swardeston Cricket Club have expressed their support on behalf of the European Cricket Family to all those incredible people working tirelessly and selflessly in the fight against COVID-19.

England champions Swardeston boost European Cricket Family.

Swardeston Cricket Club were due to make history by becoming the first English champions to play in the European Cricket League. However, Swardeston’s European dream was thwarted by the postponement of ECL20 because of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Swardeston Chairman Stuart Bartram said: “We are very sad to not be heading to ECL20 and are genuinely thinking of all our fellow cricketers across Europe in these difficult times. These are the ties that bind us as the great game brings us together in troubled times.”

Founded in 1852 (1852!!), Swardeston have won a host of trophies and silverware in recent seasons, including the East Anglian Premier League on seven occasions, 3-time National ECB Club T20 champions and 2019 National Club Championship winners. Swardeston, from near Norwich, became the first team in English cricketing history to perform the domestic club double last summer.

Captained by former Sussex and Hampshire batsman Joe Gatting, a nephew of former England captain, Mike Gatting, Swardeston would have been favourites to topple the reigning “Kings of Europe” V.O.C. Rotterdam from the Netherlands, winners of the inaugural European Cricket League at ECL19.

Lewis Denmark – Swardeston vice-captain

Steve Gray – Swardeston wicket keeper

YOU the European Cricket Family please act as the English champions have done, STAY AT HOME and express solidarity in the fight against COVID-19. SEND your cricketing photos and videos with a message of hope in your own language, your national team shirt, your club colours using #EuropeanCricketFamily.