Dreux from France has been crowned the Kings of European Cricket with their win over Hornchurch from England in the Final of the European Cricket League, the “Champions League of European Cricket”.
After four thrilling weeks of cricketing action, the European Cricket Network's (ECN) ECL23 has finally come to an end, and what a tournament it was! With 31 teams from 30 different countries participating, the ECL23 was a true showcase of the continent's cricketing talent. Over 21000 runs were scored and over 1100 wickets were taken, making it one of the most exciting cricket events of the year.
The tournament saw some of the best cricketing action from teams across Europe, but it was the underdogs Dreux from France who emerged as the champions of Europe. This was Dreux's third appearance in the ECL, and they proved their mettle by defeating Hornchurch from England in the finals.
Match Scorecard: https://www.ecn.cricket/scores-fixtures/scorecard/dreux-vs-hornchurch-live-scores-dcchnc03242023221454
Dreux's journey to the finals was a remarkable one. They were not expected to qualify for Championship Week in the first place, but they beat a strong Forfarshire team from Scotland in the Group D Final. In the Championship Week, they finished second, winning four of their six games, to reach the Finals Day.
On Finals Day, Dreux beat CIYMS in the first qualifier to reach the final and set up a clash with Hornchurch. The French side was one of the most entertaining teams in the competition, with their openers, Hamza Niaz, and Ahmad Nabi, consistently putting on a show to give their side a solid start. Nabi smashed the most sixes in the tournament - a whopping 67 maximos!
The tournament also saw some outstanding individual performances, with Jason van der Merwe from CIYMS being awarded as the Most Valuable Player. The hard-hitting opener ended up as the leading run scorer with 641 runs in 15 games at a strike rate of 232, smashing 49 fours and 56 sixes.
Tournament Statistics: https://www.ecn.cricket/european-cricket-league/statistics/batting
In addition to the thrilling cricket, the tournament also recognized the importance of fair play and sportsmanship. Daniel Doyle-Calle was awarded the HCL Software Fair Play award for promoting sportsmanship on the field and helping kids learn the game through ECN's Cricket'sCool project.
Dreux's victory in the ECL23 was well-deserved, and it highlights the quality of cricket being played across Europe. The ECN has done an excellent job of promoting the game and providing a platform for teams to showcase their talent. The success of the ECL23 will undoubtedly inspire more players to take up the sport and compete at the highest level.
In conclusion, the ECL23 was a fantastic event that showcased the best of European cricket. Dreux's victory was a testament to their talent and determination, and they fully deserve the title of Champions of European Cricket. We cannot wait for the next edition of the ECL to see more thrilling cricketing action from teams across the continent.
