National squad aims high in Antwerp

The European Affiliates Cricket Champion-ships are currently being played in Antwerp, Belgium. Open to all ICC European Affiliate Member countries, nine teams have qualified to compete for the coveted trophy.

They include (in order of seeding) Norway, Malta, Greece, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Croatia, Finland and Isle of Man.

Malta has a very proud recent record in this competition. In the previous two championships, both played in Vienna, the national squad finished equal-third in 2001 and improved to joint-second in 2003.

However, MCA chairman Pierre Naudi is very cautious this time round.

"From 2006, European cricket is being re-organised into four divisions. The competition is getting tougher all the time and this year's final positions will determine each country's new division," he said.

"The winners and runners-up will join the new Second Division, the 3rd-8th placed countries will make up the Third Division, whilst the 9th placed country will join Division Four. I'm sure that our team will give their all to match previous results."

The schedule of play is a very tough one, with all countries playing six 'one-day 50-over' matches, under ICC rules, in nine days. This will test the mental strength of the squad.

In the preliminary groupings, Malta have drawn hosts Belgium and Finland, Norway compete against Spain and Croatia, and Greece play against Portugal and Isle of Man.

The top two from each group go forward to a Super 6 Group, where all teams play each other once apart from that country qualifying from the same preliminary group.

Team captain Michael Caruana is confident that his squad is adequately prepared.

"We have a blend of experience and youth. I can call upon ten experienced players to help the four new ones. All teams will be hoping for a few lucky breaks and who knows what we can achieve," he said.

Match results can be followed on www.ecc-cricket.com .

The squad

Michael Caruana (capt.), Frankie Spiteri (vice-capt.), Sarfraz Ali, John Callus, Robert Dhandapani, Sagar Dhandapani, Sam Dhandapani, John Grima, Michael Micallef, Andrew Naudi, Chris Naudi, Mark Sacco, Ronnie Sacco and Jim Towers.

The players are supported by Ernie Glynn (manager), Sunny Dhandapani (scorer) and young Sanjay.