Season starts for the German U17 Girls in Berlin

Wraye Wenigmann, Germany

Schwerin achieve a comprehensive opening win against the Foxes

On 22th April, under cloudless blue skies and blazing sunshine, the German cricket season once again was underway. While men throughout the country toiled with the 50-over format, the girls began their own Twenty20 League, the first of its kind, with the Metropol Berlin Girls of the Reinckendorfer Foxes hosting their favourite antagonists, Schwerin Girls BBCCC.

Schwerin won the toss and elected to bat first, making short work of 99 for 3 off their 20 overs. SBBCCC captain, Luisa Giesler, then led her team to an incredible rout, bowling out their hosts within 9 overs. Special mention must go to Natalie Froh, aged 10, who put up some splendid resistance for the Foxes on her cricket debut.

Scherwin U17 girls won their opening match of the season

Perhaps it was the sunshine, perhaps nerves. Perhaps too much chocolate at Easter or even the enticing scent of the barbeque and Indian buffet which led to the Foxes’ downfall. They are however now geared for revenge at the return fixture in Schwerin. SBBCCC Manager Detlef Mai had cunningly saved a box of celebration chocolates for his girls till after the match!

Thanks go to DCB/DCUSA umpires Hoshang Kharadi and Siegfried Franz, and scorer Tristan Buanga for their support.

The game was watched by a crowd of over fifty spectators, including local journalists and dignitaries, Wolfgang Loock, president of the Reinickendorfer Foxes Sport Association, Mr and Mrs Gahsche from the Chair and Treasurer of the North-East Cricket Association and Axel and Bernd Froh from the Board of the PCC Potsdam.