Here is an update regarding the plans for the National team for everyone interested in Cricket Espana. We are now starting a two year cycle geared towards the next ICC Event we play in, which will be in 2020.
Firstly, thank you for your patience while we have searched for replacements for Bobby and Gary. We looked at the possibility of an internal candidate and without even advertising we had interest from a lot of other quality external candidates
In reality, after talking with Christian, our first choice was Pete Williams to continue the good work that had already been done by Bobby. Negotiations have been going on for a while and Pete came to Barcelona last weekend when everything was finally agreed in person. At Pete’s request we have delayed a public announcement until today.
Gary did a fantastic job as the team manager and will be difficult to replace. Again numerous people inquired about the position. After consultation we have decided to appoint Jamie Roper to that position for an interim period, starting with the Triangular series at the end of March. Jamie is well known to you all, is incredibly passionate about Spanish cricket, and I am sure he will slot smoothly into his new role.
Many of you will have also seen that the CE Directorate, Pete and Christian were in Cataluyna last weekend to oversee a trial to assess for players to challenge for a National team place. The selection panel of three (Pete, Christian and Kevin Laundon, the CE Director of Cricket) decided to invite nine players for further assessment. Some do not meet the ICC eligibility criteria for a few months but will be invited to play in Spanish A games alongside the top Academy youngsters.
We also plan to look at one player from Madrid and one from Lanzarote during the course of this year. Luis Hernandez, unfortunately will not be part of the National team set up any more because of passport issues, and he made that decision himself.
Everyone other than Jamie has been retained from the team in Holland. This new full squad of around 24-25 players will all be given an opportunity at some stage this year, whether in the National team games or Spanish A games. Every position in the team is up for grabs and competition for every spot is now strong.
We will be also bringing in an High Performance Program, based on the templates of Cricket Germany and Cricket Scotland, but adapted to our own needs, and a Memorandum of Understanding of what is expected of you as a National Team squad member. The squad will be phased down to around 15-16 at the end of this year.
CE will be also monitoring stats and form during the course of the next 2 years so there may be additions and replacements to the squad along the way.
Games .. the National Team have currently confirmed matches against Estonia and Malta and against Finland in Helsinki.
Spanish A have currently confirmed matches at the La Manga Classic in April, in a tournament that will be very strong and includes the England Deaf Squad. Some of the players from the Spanish Under 19 squad that went to Essex last year will also be involved in this.
We will look to organise more quality competition throughout the year
March 28 – April 1 Triangular Series – Spain – Malta – Estonia in La Manga
April 4 – April 8 La Manga Classic
August 15-19 Finland v Spain in Helsinki.
Cricket Espana Directorate
