The Pierre Werner Cricket Ground, also known as the Walferdange Cricket Ground, is a cricket ground in Walferdange, in central Luxembourg. It is the premier cricket venue in Luxembourg, being the home ground of the country's top club, the Optimists Cricket Club, which plays in the Belgian Cricket League, and of the Luxembourg national team.
| Walferdange Cricket Ground | |
 Pierre Werner Cricket Ground in 2024 | |
| Location | rue de l'Alzette, Walferdange, Luxembourg[1] |
|---|---|
| Establishment | 1991 |
| Capacity | 1000 |
| Owner | Optimists Cricket Club |
| Operator | Optimists Cricket Club |
| Tenants | Optimists Cricket Club Luxembourg national team |
| End names | |
| Bridge End Pavilion End | |
| First T20I | 28 August 2020: Luxembourg v  Czech Republic |
| Last T20I | 25 June 2023: Luxembourg v  Switzerland |
| As of 25 June 2023 Source: Cricinfo | |
The ground was opened in 1991.[2] In 2002 the ground was given its present name to commemorate Pierre Werner (1913–2002), formerly Prime Minister of Luxembourg and honorary president of Optimists Cricket Club.[3] The ground was established on land donated by the Walferdange commune, adjacent to the Alzette river.[1]
The ground has hosted matches between the Luxembourg national team and various other teams, including the Belgium national team and the MCC.[4] The heavy use of the ground is illustrated by the programme in 2003, when it "was in use almost every day between mid-April and early October". That year two internationals against France and one against Belgium were played on the ground (though one of the games against France was rained off).[5] A six-a-side tournament was hosted in 2007.
The ground is the only outdoor venue regularly used for cricket in Luxembourg, with the only other venue being Robert Schuman Oval, located 300 m (980 ft) over the French border in Évrange.[6] The ground's pitch is artificial matting on concrete.[6]
The ground hosts a one-week junior training academy each July. In 2010 this was attended by forty boys and girls of all ages, who were coached by a Level 3 coach from the UK and benefited from the ground's "excellent facilities".[7]
In August 2020, the ground was selected to host the 2020 Luxembourg T20I Trophy, a tri-series between Luxembourg, Belgium and the Czech Republic.[8]
List of International Centuries
editTwenty20 Internationals
editThis is the list of centuries scored at the ground in Twenty20 Internationals.[9]
| No. | Score | Player | Team | Balls | Inns. | Opposing team | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 125* | Shaheryar Butt |  Belgium |
50 | 1 | Czech Republic |
29 August 2020 | Won |
References
edit- ^ a b Location - Optimists Cricket Club
- ^ ICC European Championship, 2011, Division 2 brochure, p12 Retrieved 7 October 2011
- ^ Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, 2003 edition, p 1569.
- ^ Other matches played on Pierre Werner Cricket Ground, Walferdange - CricketArchive. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- ^ Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, 2004 edition, p 1440.
- ^ a b Grounds - Luxembourg Cricket Federation
- ^ Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, 2011 edition, p 1185.
- ^ "Luxembourg set to host official international cricket for the first time". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ "Centuries - Twenty20 Internationals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 August 2020.