The 1999 ECC Championships were a resounding success. Austria (132-2) lost to Portugal (133-2) by 3 wickets. Portugal were presented with the ECC Indoor Trophy by Roger Knight, MCC Secretary. Yorkshire Cricket Club recently ran an ECB Level 1 Coaching course in conjunction with the ECC. The course was completed by 18 Cypriots and they are all now fully qualified ECB Level 1 Coaches. ECC congratulates Mrs C Trykush of the Dhekelia Primary School, Cyprus on gaining the ECB Level 1 Coaching award. ECC proudly supports the Irish Cricket Union, Scottish Cricket Union and the KNCB this summer as they host the following World Cup Games:

Fri 21 May:	Dublin, Ireland	West Indies v Bangladesh
Mon 24 May:	Edinburgh, Scotland	Scotland v Bangladesh
Wed 26 May:	Amsterdam, Holland	South Africa v Kenya
Sun 31 May:	Edinburgh, Scotland	Scotland v New ZealandThese games should offer great exposure for the game throughout Europe and offer world class international cricket to new audiences. ECC shall be hosting 8 European journalists for various World Cup Games to help promote cricket through their respective national media. Austrian Young Cricketers at Lord's ECC recently arranged the trial of two young Austrian boys, Erwin Grasinger and Tim Simpson, to join the MCC Young Cricketers. These trials were held at Lord's Cricket Ground at the Indoor School on 5 December, 1998 and whilst neither Erwin or Tim was successful, both have been invited by Clive Radley (MCC Head Coach) to join the staff for a month during the 1999 season. Cyprus Apply For ICC Affiliate Membership The ECB have supported an application made to the ICC by the Cyprus Cricket Association (CCA) for Affiliate Membership. Members of CCA have achieved a considerable amount since the ECDO's visit in September, including the implementation of a Constitution. They have liaised with the military hierarchy in Cyprus, who control the 6 good grounds on the island and have considerable cricketing expertise, and together they are devising operating procedures for the use of the facilities by non-military personnel. They have also introduced a development programme which has seen a large number of children introduced to regular Kwik Cricket sessions.