Island cricket with a volcanic base

ISLAND CRICKET ON A VOLCANIC BASE

Cricket of sorts began in Lanzarote in 1993 – with Lanzarote CC fixing a carpet into the ground with nails for a wicket to combat the fine volcanic gravel surface.

ST GEORGES CRICKET CLUB

Various matches were also played against Indian clubs on the nearby Canary Islands of Fuerteventura, Las Palmas and Tenerife, writes Dave ‘Bulldog’ Galloway, club captain of The Fisherman’s Inn CC.

THE FISHERMANS INN CRICKET CLUB

Seven years later the first opportunity to play a match in Lanzarote – at Puerto Del Carmen football ground – again on the black volcanic sand, arrived. This game was against a group of British ex-pats, among them were some of the, soon to be, future members of St George’s Club. Lanzarote CC continued playing off-the-island cricket,  coupled with the occasional match against the British ex-pat community.

PLAYA BLANCA CRICKET CLUB

By 2004/5 these games grew in frequency with matches every other weekend, eventually resulting in Lanzarote’s second club, St Georges, formed.

THE COMMITMENTS CRICKET CLUB

It wasn’t long before a third club was established, this time in Playa Blanca and by 2005 the Lanzarote Cricket Association League was up and running. Lanzarote CC were the first LCA champions.

CHB COLTS CRICKET CLUB

Artificial grass

Over the last three years the number of clubs in the LCA has grown significantly. In 2006 The Dragons and The Fisherman’s Inn made the league a five-way competition, with Los Diablos making it six in 2007. By the start of 2008 the number had risen to eight with the inclusion of the Playa Honda Commitments and the Colegio Hispano Britanico Colts. Over the last two seasons the league has been sponsored by Naturally Floors, a local business.

LOS DIABLOS CRICKET CLUB

Cricket on Lanzarote is played on artificial football pitches due to the lack of grass. It is also dependent on the permission of the Ayuntamiento – local council – with all grounds owned by the Government. This year teams have contacted us through our website to tour our island. Hornchurch CC will make history in March next year as the first team from the UK to do so.

LANZAROTE CRICKET CLUB

Thanks must go to Jack Talbot, LCA chairman, who over the years has strived to make cricket in Lanzarote popular. The game has moved to a new level with all clubs now members of Cricket Espana. The LCA has been invited to compete in the La Manga Twenty-20 International Competition in September.

With thanks to Dave Galloway and Mr Jack Talbot

For more information please visit www.lanzarotecricket.com