MUMBAI: Woods Entertainment and GS Holding have partnered with Cricket Ireland to introduce a Europe-centred T20 League.
The league will be played in Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland from 30th August to 22nd September.
Following a similar template to other well-known T20 leagues around the world, the T20 league will feature city-based franchise teams (six teams, two from each country). The tournament will involve 33 matches across all three countries, featuring a Group Stage followed by semi-finals and a final. Tournament rules will ensure that each franchise must have a minimum of nine domestic players, and up to a maximum of seven overseas players within their squads. Furthermore, the rules mandate that of the 11 players taking the field in each match, six players must be domestic players.
Warren Deutrom, chief executive of Cricket Ireland, said: “The quality and competitive performances in white-ball cricket played by the three nations involved has been on full display over recent years, and we saw a joint competition as the best means of ensuring that there would be high quality cricket for the players and fans to enjoy. The ability to play alongside a range of experienced international cricketers will only benefit both the established and emerging Irish talent that will be involved over the next decade. I will take this opportunity to also thank the boards and management teams from Cricket Scotland and Cricket Netherlands on their enthusiastic and collegiate approach to supporting the development of the tournament.”
Gurmeet Singh, founder of GS Holding, said: “Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland have shown in the last few years that they are almost equal to some of the cricketing-giants when it comes to competing in T20 cricket. With this new league all these players are bound to get better as they get some invaluable exposure by sharing dressing room with stalwarts of the game.”
Amit Kumar Singh, managing partner – Woods Entertainment, noted: “We are very happy with the final sanctions in place. It’s a new challenge for Woods and we can assure of delivering more than the expectations. The real challenge starts now and so does our hard work. Looking at the initial concept and the strong team we have, this can surely be touted as one of the most anticipated sports carnival for the European continent.”
Prashant Mishra, managing partner, Woods Entertainment, added: “It is our privilege that Cricket Ireland and other member boards have shown trust in our ability to conduct a world-class tournament. The event will set new benchmarks when it comes to organising a continent-based league. We also hope that with the help of the ICC, the league will spark-off massive interest in the remote corners of these soccer-powerhouse nations.”
