Luxembourg Cricket

Luxembourg has a long history of playing international cricket dating back to 2003. In recent years, many wins have been registered as the strength of the team continues to evolve, thanks to the long term development of junior players graduating through to the national team.

2019 Continental Cup in Romania

Having won this event in 2015, Luxembourg traveled with strong ambitions but preparations for this event had not been perfect. Playing against the Czech Republic, Austria, Turkey and the hosts Romania in hot conditions was a good experience but only 1 win and 3 defeats was disappointing.

2018 Triangular T20 Tournament in Luxembourg

On July 6th-8th, hosted an international cricket tournament for the first time ever. The national team played against Malta and the Czech Republic in a T20 tournament at Walferdange.

The sun shone on a fantastic weekend and Luxembourg won all 4 matches to win the tournament. Luxembourg played some super T20 cricket in home conditions and deservedly enjoyed a winning beer at the end. See photo gallery.

2018 CE Cup in Prague

Injuries to key bowlers destroys Luxembourg’s quest for CE Cup glory in Prague

The Luxembourg National Cricket Team competed bravely in hot conditions in Prague last weekend as part of the Central Europe Cup 2018. However, with the tournament on the line, injuries to key bowlers resulted in a defeat to the winners Switzerland.

The tournament was a roller-coaster ride for the squad of 14 players who arrived in the Czech Republic with strong hopes. Batting first in the opening match against Czech Lions, Luxembourg batted very well to amass a total of 276 for 7 wickets from the 50 overs. The main contributions were 66 from Reinhardt Heyns, 47 from the skipper Girish Venketaswaran and 38 each from Vikram Vijh and Sohail Sadiq. This looked a good total to defend but the Czech Lions also batted well. Wickets were taken but chances missed and as the game progressed it became very tight indeed. With 7 wickets lost, the Czechs needed 17 off the last 17 balls and it went down to the final over before they secured victory. Obviously, the Luxembourg team were disappointed but it was a fantastically competitive 100 over match played in superb spirit.

A local meal that night lifted the spirits and Luxembourg again won the toss and batted the next morning against Czech Eagles (the national team). Spectators were then treated to a masterclass of batting from James Barker who patiently built a superb innings ending on 95. This platform let others play with freedom around him and Girish hit a beautiful 50 and Marcus Cope entertained with a quick fire 31 on debut including a series of ramp shots that frustrated the opposition. The total of 276 for 7 was reached and Luxembourg were again confident that a tight display in the filed would secure victory. This is exactly what then happened with an energized team taking regular wickets and securing a victory by 51 runs to end the day full of smiles. Vikram Vijh was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 40.

With Switzerland having won both their opening games, it meant that the fate of the tournament then rested on a good Luxembourg victory on the final day to secure the trophy. But on Sunday morning things did not start well. Having won the toss again, Luxembourg collapsed to 26 for 4 wickets in no time at all and were in deep trouble. It was Sohail Sadiq, who hit a wonderful 45 and Marcus Cope that then rebuilt the innings and with strong support of Pankaj Malav (45 not out), Luxembourg recovered reasonably well to post a total of 171 all out. However, the tournament was about to slip away as luck would turn against Luxembourg.

Firstly, Reinhardt Heyns suffered a sidestrain while batting and was unable to take the field and his fine bowling would soon be missed. Then a crucial dropped chance in the very first over went begging. Shortly after, leading wicket taker Vikram Vijh received a nasty blow on the ankle and also left the pitch not to return. This robbed Luxembourg of the impetus and the Swiss knew it. Patiently they notched up the runs. As a last gamble, the skipper turned to the spinners of Marcus Cope and Vishy Deshpande and both grabbed well-deserved wickets but it was not to be enough. The Swiss reached the total to end the tournament unbeaten and deservedly lift the trophy for 2018.

All in all, it was a very competitive tournament played in superb spirit amongst all the teams. Luxembourg then travelled home richer for the experience and ready to go again soon.

2017 Tournament in Malta

Luxembourg returned to Malta to compete against Malta and Hungary but a rain affected first day prevented Luxembourg from completing a tournament victory losing out to Hungary on net run rate.

Luxembourg vs Malta October 2017 (win)

Luxembourg vs Hungary October 2017 (win)

2017 CE Cup in Prague

Luxembourg Cricket came second in Central European Cricket Cup. Over the week-end, Luxembourg competed against Poland, Switzerland and hosts Czech Republic for the Central European Cricket Cup in Prague. The cup would be played over three days, with each team competing against each other in a 50 over match. Luxembourg were quietly confident about their chances whilst the other countries labelled the small Grand Duchy as the weakest team.

The opening match was against tournament favourites, Poland. Luxembourg batted first and in difficult batting conditions scored 224 all out with the highlight coming from Richard Neale who anchored the innings and scored a fifty. In reply, Luxembourg bowled and fielded excellently, dismissing Poland for just 169 to secure a win by 55 runs much to the tournament favourites’ shock. Saransh Kulshrestha (9.3 overs, 3-35) Atif Kamal (8 overs 2-31) and Tony Whiteman (4 overs, 2-9) were the pick of the Luxembourg bowlers.

The following day, Luxembourg took on hosts, Czech Republic. Once again, Luxembourg batted first and Czech Republic were given a master-class in batting. James Barker scored a brilliant 95 and William Cope batted with fluency and confidence for 52. Both were ably supported by Tim Barker for his big-hitting cameo of 46 and excellent shot-making by Saransh Kulshrestha for 31. Luxembourg delivered a clinical bowling performance to dismiss Czech Republic for 172 and won by a massive 124 runs. Aanand Pandey led the attack with 4 overs, 4-44 and some excellent boundary catching.

With Luxembourg leading the way, the final game was against the bottom team, Switzerland. Switzerland’s fortunes were about to chance, having lost their first two matches. Batting first, they amassed 294 against Luxembourg. William Cope (6 overs, 4-29) and Charlie Ramsden (6 overs, 3-44) were the main wicket-takers for Luxembourg. In reply, Luxembourg never really got into gear and were dismissed for 115. It was a shock defeat that meant Luxembourg finished the tournament in second place, behind Poland. Czech Republic were third and Switzerland fourth.

2016 Tri-series in Malta - Played 3, Won 3

Luxembourg travelled to Malta for a 3 match series against Malta in 3 different formats. Played in superb facilities and October weather, Luxembourg were victorious in all 3 matches and celebrated in style.

2015 Tournament in Romania

This tournament was Luxembourg's first visit to the fantastic new ground in Moara Vlasiei and was also Luxembourg's first ever tournament win! This is so important it gets its own page on this site with the full write up. Our first tournament win!

2014 Tournament in Prague

This was Luxembourg's first visit to the Czech Republic for a tournament called the Central Europe Cup. Luxembourg finished with just 1 win and 2 defeats. Full details here http://www.czechcricket.cz/articles.asp?id=39

2012 ICC Tournament in Corfu

Luxembourg competed in this ICC event in the heat of Corfu. It was a highly competitive tournament but Luxembourg secured good wins against Cyprus and Croatia during the week.

2009 ICC Tournament in Cyprus

Luxembourg played in the ICC European Division 4 Championship and during the course of the week they beat Slovenia (by 99 runs) and Finland (by 4 wickets) before losing a tight game versus Austria. This was then followed by two heavy defeats to Cyprus and Switzerland.

2006 ECC Tournament in Belgium

The Luxembourg national team competed in Belgium in the ECC Division 4 tournament, playing Finland, Cyprus and Slovenia. After opening with a win against Finland, Luxembourg then lost a rain-delayed match versus Cyprus. Slovenia?

2004 in Slovenia

The European Representative Championships 2004 in Slovenia saw Luxembourg's second international outdoor tournament.

2003 in Austria

2003 saw Luxembourg's debut performance at an international tournament in Vienna.