MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

English cricket team on Falklands and Chile tour

Falkland Cricket Club (FCC) from Newbury, Berkshire currently on a tour of South America warmed up for their historic re-match at the home of their South Atlantic namesakes, Falkland Islands, on Friday by completing a second tour victory.

A representative team from the Enborne Lodge club made it two out of two in their warm-up games ahead of Friday’s Stanley Services Cup match against the Falkland Islands by beating Mount Pleasant in a 30-over match on Tuesday.

Andy Bolan was the star of the show as he grabbed six wickets for the loss of just seven runs as the hosts were dismissed for 150 all out and former Falkland skipper Mark Foster guided his side to victory with a 66 not out as the tourists reached the total with just five balls to spare.

Two days earlier, Falkland started their tour on a winning note despite batsman Steve Pope being out for a golden duck with the first ball.

Falkland went on to fire 139-4 in their 20 overs thanks to a 64 not out from Bolan and opponents Stanley were all out for just 83 in response, thanks to Nigel Trumper’s 2-19.

Falkland CC has become the first sporting team to visit the Falkland Islands for the purpose of playing sport and they will move on for a three-match tour of Chile after their showpiece match against the Falkland Islands.

The FCC tour coincides with the week-long ‘Spirit of Cricket’ festival being held in the Falkland Islands to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Falkland Islands Cricket Association was awarded Affiliate membership of the ICC in 2007.

Another cricket first will take place in July 2010, when FICA will send a team to Scotland to compete in a tournament with Falkland CC, Newbury, and Falkland CC, Fife, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Falkland CC, Fife. This will be the first time the three ‘Falkland’ teams will meet; whatever the outcome, it will make for an interesting ‘sporting triangle’.

The Falkland Islands are a UK Overseas Territory and as such have a love of all things British, including cricket. Laying claim to the southernmost cricket ground in the world, cricket in the Islands is going from strength to strength. The population of around 3,000 boasts four teams, which may be the largest ratio of players per head of population of any country. In April, the Junior Team will embark on a four-match, week-long tour of Chile. Developing closer links with the Chilean Cricket Association is a key part of the strategy for developing the junior game in the Falklands which should lead to a much stronger adult game.

Looking to the future of cricket in the Falklands, planning permission has been granted for the development of a new cricket pitch in Stanley on part of the Golf Club site. The long term aim is to build a joint clubhouse with indoor facilities. The formation of a women’s team is also being actively encouraged, with several ladies already attending practice sessions.