Cricket Ireland recently hosted the Celtic Challenge One Day International (ODIs) and T20I Series between Sunday 15th and Wednesday 25th October 2023 at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort with its very own ICC accredited Cricket Ground, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.
Having received One Day International accreditation in April 2021 and having hosted multiple T20 International events in conjunction with both Cricket Spain and the ICC; Desert Springs Resort were delighted to host the inaugural One Day International Cricket fixture on Tuesday 17th October between Cricket Ireland and Cricket Scotland, with Cricket Scotland taking the spoils. A further two ODIs were staged alongside two T20Is in the series, with Cricket Ireland winning three fixtures.
Cricket Scotland Head Coach stated; “The facilities were excellent, especially the match ground. Desert Springs feels like a home away from home”
Cricket Ireland Assistant Coach, Glenn Querl commented; “The experience was great, the pitches played nicely throughout the 5 games. The food has been good and we have been looked after very, very well during our stay.”
Cricket Scotland Performance Director, Toby Bailey had the following comments; “The stay has been brilliant as usual. The pitches are great and make for exciting cricket.”
MATCH RESULTS:
|
Format |
Result |
|
| Tuesday 17th October | WODI | Scotland Win by 40 runs |
| Thursday 19th October | WODI | Ireland Win by 79 runs |
| Saturday 21st October | WODI | Ireland Win by 33 runs |
| Monday 23rd October | WT20I | Ireland Win by 7 wickets |
| Tuesday 24th October | WT20I | Scotland Win by 8 wickets |
Desert Springs Resort Cricket Manager, Peter Scott commented;
“To successfully host the first One Day International fixtures at Desert Springs Resort is a fantastic achievement that highlights the hard work and diligence of all the team here at Desert Springs Cricket. The Ireland and Scotland teams rose to the occasion and competed in a hard fought series. Congratulations must go to Cricket Ireland who won the series 3-2 and to Play of the Series, Kathryn Bryce who scored 277 runs across the 5 games”
Resort accommodation for officials and players was provided in the apartments & townhouses at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef catered for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining at the cricket pavilion, The Crocodile Club and El Torrente.
Cricket Ireland at Desert Springs Resort
Player of the Series Cricket Scotland’s Kathyrn Bryce at Desert Springs Resort
