Cricket in Argentina

Argentina is the strongest cricket country in South America except Guyana who are part of West Indies.

History

Argentine cricket celebrated its 200th anniversary on 21 October 2006. An event was held at San Antonio College, where the first recorded match was played back in 1806 by British Soldiers. The history of cricket in Argentina can roughly be divided into various phases. From 1806 to 1900, cricket was established in Argentina, with the first international matches played, the major clubs founded, and the great North v South contest beginning. The Buenos Aires Cricket Club in Palermo was inaugurated in 1864, and is the historical reference for cricket in the country. Now known as the Buenos Aires Cricket & Rugby Club, a project is in place where cricket will once again hopefully become a practiced sport at this famous club.

Argentina first played international cricket in 1868, against Uruguay, while international competition against Brazil dates back to 1888, and against Chile to 1893, this encounter famous for the Argentine team taking three and a half days to reach Santiago in Chile, crossing the Andes by mule. In 1891, the famous annual three-day North v South fixture was played for the very first time, and is still today a highlight of the domestic calendar. The first league competition was held in 1897.

The Argentine Cricket Association was founded in 1913, and will celebrate its centenary in 2013. 1900 to 1939 are considered the golden years where cricket reached a high standard, many players reaching English county level. Argentina played first-class matches between 1911 and 1938. Unfortunately the sport went into decline after World War II, until Argentina became an Associate Member of the ICC in 1974, and took part in its first ICC Trophy in 1979.

With the introduction of the ICC Development Programme in 1997 to the present day, there has been a steady recovery with the ACA formulating a domestic development programme with the regional support of ICC Americas. Although cricket remains a minority sport within the sporting and primarily football culture of the country, Argentina still proudly boasts a competitive record at international level, and performances over the last few years have earned respect and recognition from the rest of the cricket world.

International competition

A solid performance at the 2001 ICC Trophy in Canada ensured the world took note of Argentina's cricket potential, especially a stunning victory over Malaysia. The team's success at the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3 in Darwin, Australia in 2007 thrust this relatively unknown team further into the limelight, and although results have not been as positive since then in the higher reaches of Associate cricket – including a relegation campaign when hosting World Cricket League Division 3 in 2009 - Argentina is far and away the leading cricket nation in Latin America. Prior to the WCL Division 3 Series success of 2007, the Argentine national team won the ICC Americas Division 2 Tournament in 2006. Argentina and Argentina "A" teams have traditionally been a force at South American Championships and it also maintained its status in the top-flight of a tough Americas Division One section – that also features the likes of Canada and USA - during the latest tournament that took place from 27 May – 7 June 2010 in Bermuda.

Domestic competition

The domestic competition in Argentina runs from late October to early April every year. The first part of the year is dedicated to the schools leagues and festivals. Senior cricket consists of the Development Cup, Third Division Championship, Second Division Championship and Saturday Championship (played by Second Division teams) for lower leagues, while at premier league level there is the Robin Stuart Shield, a Twenty20 league and the First Division Championship. A Women's First Division Championship was played for the first time in 2008.The junior leagues are played by schools and clubs, at U15 and U19 levels, and for the first time U13 leagues were played over the winter in 2008. An U11 league will begin in the winter of 2009. The annual North v South three-day match is a domestic highlight, and was played for the 110th time in March, 2009. Argentina also receives a number of visiting teams on an annual basis, who compete against local clubs, schools and representative teams.

Development Programme

Argentina's development programme looks to give opportunities and competition to every age group in the country, both domestically and internationally. On the domestic scene, Argentina has an U15 league and an U19 league. There is also the Development Cup and Third Division, which is largely made up of junior players. The winter months include U13 and U11 leagues for boys and girls. Argentina also has an annual international competition called the Pampero Festival in which our U17s compete against teams from South Africa, Australia and England. There are also an annual U15 series against Chile, while the first South American U13 championship took place in 2009.

Education and awareness is an important component, and coaching, umpiring and scoring courses are held in clubs and schools on a regular basis. There are also annual academies held in school vacations for various age groups targeting the most talented juniors in the local game. The ACA is also aware of its social responsibility, and a number of projects are taking place in underprivileged areas, giving young children the opportunity to play cricket.

Women's cricket

The roots of Argentine women's cricket go back to an U15 girls tour to New Zealand in 2000, and today there is a Women's First Division competition as a direct result of that. Argentina proudly took part in the first-ever Americas Women's Championship in 2007, and have played home and away T20 series against the emerging Brazil team. In 2009, Argentina took part in the second Americas Women's Championship, as well as sending a development team to Chile to assist the growth of women's cricket there. In addition to the local first Division, the women's national team, known as the Flamingos, take part in the men's senior Second Division tournament. Junior girls leagues with schools and clubs are scheduled to begin in 2009.^[1]

References

1. ^ http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/the-icc/icc_members/profile.php

http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/the-icc/icc_members/profile.php