17 July 2002
Cricket arrived in Denmark in the 1860s when British workers introduced it while laying railway lines. Today it has some 3,000 cricketers in more than 40 clubs throughout the country. Over the years, Denmark has produced first-class players, not least Ole Mortensen and Amjad Khan (formerly on Kent's books).
The English amateur side is not to be confused with the England Test side. It is composed mostly of Minor Counties' players and is administered by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Irish cricket is administered by the all-Ireland Irish Cricket Union with four affiliated provincial unions Ð the NCU and North-West in the north, Leinster and Munster in the south. Slipped to eighth in the ICC Associate rankings in Canada last year and have a new coach in South African Adrian Birrell.
Holland is currently the strongest of the ICC Associate countries throughout the world. They won the ICC Trophy in Canada last year to qualify for the World Cup finals in South Africa next year. The country has 5,000 registered players and operates a Dutch cricket academy in Cape Town where selected young players develop their skills.
Italy became an Affiliate member of the ICC in 1984 and was promoted to associate status in 1995. The Federazione Cricket Italiana has 24 clubs.
Le Criquet has been played continuously in France for over 125 years. There are now 40 clubs in the country with around 1,000 players. The game's growth period began in the 1980s, not least because of an influx of Asian immigrants.
Cricket has been played on the Rock of Gibraltar since the late 18th century Ð a legacy of British Servicemen. It's been an Associate member of the ICC for over 30 years and in 1996 took part in the first European Championships held in Denmark. The appointment of a Development Officer five years ago has paid dividends with a growing interest in the sport at school level.
This tournament will be a major test for Austria Ð a country which does not enjoy a long cricketing history. However, the sport has changed from being one played by enthusiastic Ôex pats' to a sport in which Austrians rub shoulders with, and often outshine, their teammates and opponents.
The first ball was bowled in Portugal back in the days of the Peninsular War when Wellington's troops were encamped in Lisbon. In modern times it received - with a twist of irony Ð a major boost following the 1974 Revolution. Portuguese territories got independence and the result was an influx to the country of nationals who'd been weaned on cricket in Goa and Mocambique. Portugal Ôbroke their duck' in the European championships in Scotland two years ago and have climbed to greater heights by winning the ECC Indoor Championships on three of the four occasions they've taken part.
German cricket dates back as far as 1850 when English and American residents started the Berlin Cricket Club. It's now played in five regions with the regional champions playing off for the national title. There is also an annual inter-regional championship and the country boasts a total of 50 clubs.
Israel is known as the land of miracles Ð the survival of cricket ranks among them. It's flourished despite lacking adequate playing surfaces, equipment and financial backing. Not surprisingly, the game was introduced to the Middle East by the British Ð the military and civil service Ð and when the British left in 1948, the locals kept the game going in the fledgling state. Israeli cricket came of age in 1979 when it took part in the augural ICC Trophy. Israel has taken part in all four European championships.