Touring Teams Begining to Discover Cricket in Paradise
Over the last 5 years, since 2005 and the first league fixtures, Lanzarote cricket has put little emphasis on teams coming to Lanzarote and playing cricket. We were far more concerned with getting our own house in order, making sure that anyone who lived here, and wanted to play cricket, could do so.
However, back in March 2009 Sussex over 50’s came to Lanzarote and played four matches against various teams from the LCA. The feedback that we got from them was so positive that we decided to try and push for more touring teams. The boys from Sussex were actually amazed that they were the first team ever to tour Lanzarote.
Some of them likened playing cricket in Lanzarote as a mix between Antigua and Hawaii, with the tropical vegetation blending sharply with the volcanic history of the island. Beening just 60 miles off the African coast and having the type of climate which allows us to play cricket 12 months of the year, they thought it was ideal for clubs in England to use as a pre-season or even post season tour. If you add to that the fact, it only takes 4 hours to get here from any of the major airports in Britain it real is an ideal venue for any club thinking of overseas competition.
So how are we doing with our quest to attract touring teams, I hear you say? Well so far there are three clubs confirmed for 2010. These are Redheard CC in March, Ovingdean CC in July and Nationwide House CC in September.
We have also had enquiries from Marple CC for September and Thames Trains have said we should see them again in November after their very successful trip last year, when they almost won all four of their tour matches just falling at the last hurdle against the LCA Select XI.
As awarenes of cricket increases in Lanzarote and the Canary Islands, as it does in mainland Spain, I am sure you will be hearing more from ‘Touring Teams in Paradise’
For more information contact us at information@lanzarotecricket.com or me directly at talbotjack@hotmail.com.