Iceland set to play maiden international cricket match
Kit Harris with Harbhajan Singh
Iceland scripted history by becoming the smallest nation to play in the FIFA World Cup this year, where they held former world champions Argentina to a stalemate in a group clash. The country is now set to enter the cricketing world by playing their first-ever international match.
A 40-over will be played between an MCC XI and the Nordic island country. The game will be held at Hampton Hill Club in England, on July 24.
The Iceland team comprises expats and refugees. However, the refugees making up the team will not be able to feature in that game as they are not allowed to leave the country.
The Iceland Cricket Board aspires to become a member of the European Cricket Council and later gain ICC Affiliate status.
Secretary of the Iceland Cricket Board and tour organise, Kit Harris reportedly said: “There are a number of boxes we have to tick to become an associate member. The most difficult ones are the number of teams and stadiums.
“We must be playing outside 11 aside cricket with eight clubs. We currently have 35 players so will need to increase the interest. Pitches will be the most difficult hurdle, we need to have at least two. This will be difficult as Iceland’s terrain makes it difficult to build pitches, with limited greens space.
“We currently play on indoor and artificial pitches but are looking for somewhere to have non-artificial grass pitches. Apart from that we need to have one cricketing board and implement anti-doping, anti-corruption policies as well as programs for women and children.”
Following the match against MCC XI, Iceland will play three more matches in London including a One-Day and a T20 match against Switzerland on July 28 and 29, respectively.
