Launch of New Cricket Facility at La Manga, Spain

During the first week in November a new cricket facility was launched at La Manga, including 2 grounds together with electronic scoreboards and extensive net and practice areas. To celebrate the opening, a 20/20 competition, spread over 5 days, was arranged by the Club Cricket Conference with support from P&O, which included teams from the CCC, a League CC X1, a Midlands CCC X1, Guildford CC, Maori Oxshott CC, a Celebrity X1 and a Spanish National X1. All the visiting teams were strong cricket X1's and all included a sprinkling of current or ex-county players or ex-international players.

Two members of the current England women's team were also involved, and the celebrity side was strengthened by the appearance of Derek Underwood and included the likes of Nigel Mansell. It was clear that although this was a fun event, the Spanish side would be tested to the full, especially as a number of the senior players were not available due to work and other commitments.

Spain's opening game was against a Maori Oxshott X1, which was captained by one of the England women Test players and contained 2 of the current Surrey County side including next year's Captain Jonathan Batty and former English International Monty Lynch. The rest of the side was made up of ex-county players and good club cricketers.

Despite this, Spain performed exceptionally well, restricting the opposition to a total of only 91 runs in their innings, largely due to some good and aggressive bowling and some outstanding fielding which resulted in 4 run outs and an excellent catch by Jamie Catala to dismiss Batty.

Fletcher finished with 1 for 18, Khan 1 for 17, and Jaime Catala, making his debut for Spain, finished with 1 for 12 from his 4 overs. Phil Pennick bowled his off spin with his usual guile and bowled his 4 overs for only 8 runs-an astonishing feat in 20/20 especially at this level.

Mention must be made of Jimmy Morgan, the Spanish wicketkeeper, who, although just approaching his 14th birthday, performed with a maturity well beyond his years and deserved the complimentary remarks that emanated from our professional colleagues.

Spain, feeling happy about chasing only 91 runs, were soon to find life at this level to be a little more difficult than they were used to. The bowling was much quicker than they had previously experienced and together with the hostile approach the batsmen were in deep trouble.

Merely to survive seemed to be a success but cometh the hour cometh the man and Captain Graham Howe, batting at number 4, played a resolute and determined innings. He displayed good technique against all the bowlers and scored freely off anything loose and out of a total of 92 for 7 finished with a match-winning knock of 56 not out. A true captain's innings for which he received the Man of the Match award.

Unfortunately the next couple of days were hampered by bad weather and games had to be cancelled. Thus Spain was only able to play one more game, on the Thursday morning, against a very strong Guildford side strengthened by Surrey County squad players.

Spain, although once again fielding well and getting one or two successes, were unable to control the Guildford batting and the Guildford innings went from strength to strength and closed on 148 for 5.

In reply Spain never looked like getting the runs and once again found the pace and hostility of bowling somewhat difficult to cope with. That said, one or two of the Spanish side applying good technique and by playing straight managed to survive, showing how important these attributes are when competing at this level. Eventually Spain succumbed by 70 or so runs but against class opposition this was no disgrace and the Spanish team have learned much by competing against such teams.

The Spanish side would like to thank the Club Cricket Conference who made it possible for a Spanish X1 to be involved in this event and also Medsea Estates who helped to sponsor the Spanish team at this competition. The AEC are most grateful.

This was an excellent way of launching the new facility at La Manga, and similar competitions are planned for the next 5 years. All teams were well looked after, and all were highly complimentary of the La Manga Club and their staff. Newly appointed European Development Manager, Richard Holdsworth, visited the La Manga Festival as a guest of the Club Cricket Conference, and was excited by the new facilities. He has since had talks with La Manga Club Managing Director about its future use and Spain's potential involvement. The venue would be an ideal environment for future European camps, academies and tournaments.