Photo © ECC

Bob Barber, former Lancashire, Warwickshire and England opener, honoured the Swiss Cricket Association and particularly the Cossonay Cricket Club (20 km north of Lausanne) by officiating at the special inauguration match at the 'En Marche' ground set in the picturesque Jura Foothills. Although the new Notts Dł strip had already been tried and tested (not least on the previous day for the Swiss Cup Final at which B.B. presented the cup and medals to champions Zurich United) Sunday 21st was set aside for the 'official' opening.

Photo © ECC

The President's XI rattled up a handy-looking 205 for 5 off 35 overs but this was bettered by the Captain's XI who reached the target with three balls to spare scoring 207 for 7. All corroborated the previous day's cricketers' verdict on the new playing surface "smooth, good bounce, nice for batsmen and bowler". Bob Barber declined the offer of a batting place (presumably high in the order) in one of the teams, instead choosing to umpire as well as handing over the President's Cup to the winning captain, Steve Best.

The new ground at Cossonay is fully dedicated to cricket and the SCA is looking forward to staging important encounters there in the future.