The first European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is set to kick off on August 26, with Rotterdam Dockers taking on Amsterdam Flames in the first game of the new six-team, six-round competition. The tournament will continue until September 20 and will be held at locations throughout the Netherlands and Ireland.
The inaugural edition of the ETPL is a significant milestone in the history of European franchise cricket, as it has gathered a mix of established international players and those from the participating teams. There will be 30 league games, a Qualifier and a final in the tournament.
ETPL Set for Historic Opening
The first game will be between Rotterdam Dockers and Amsterdam Flames, as the league’s inaugural season begins. Both teams will have a chance to make history during the match, as the ETPL begins.
Rotterdam Dockers co-owner Jonty Rhodes said he was excited for the opening game, and that the team would be representing the city in the historic first season of the competition.
The opportunity was also welcomed by Amsterdam Flames co-owner Steve Waugh, who called the first match as an important event for the new franchise and European cricket.
Six Teams to Compete
The first ETPL will consist of six teams, with each team playing the other teams twice in the league stage. The double round robin will generate 30 matches and ensure that each franchise has a good chance of making it through to the knockout stage.
The top team in the league will qualify for the final automatically. The second and third place teams will compete in the Qualifier and the winner will qualify for the final match.
Tournament Split Across Two Venues
The competition will be played in two venues, the first half at Voorburg Cricket Club in the Netherlands and the second half in Malahide in Ireland.
The first 15 league games will be held at Voorburg with the rest of the league games at Malahide. The Qualifier and final will also be held in Ireland.
The two stages of the league will be split on travel days on Sept. 7 and 8. There will also be a number of double-headers, starting at 11:30am and 3:15pm local time.
Major International Names Involved
The ETPL has also seen the likes of some big names in the cricketing world, bringing with them experience and star power to the first season of the league.
The big names that are likely to be there include Steve Smith, Ravichandran Ashwin, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Heinrich Klaasen, Mitchell Marsh, Lungi Ngidi and Trent Boult.
They are expected to attract a lot of interest in the new competition and will also give young European players the chance to compete with the international greats.
Dublin and Glasgow Ready for New Challenge
The Dublin Guardians and Glasgow Cosmic are also getting ready to make their debut in the first competition. Dublin co-owner Rahul Dravid said it would be a great opportunity for the team and their fans to represent the Irish capital in the new franchise league.
Glasgow Cosmic co-owner Matthew Hayden also referred to the tournament as a significant occasion for Scottish cricket, where the team is set to make a statement in the inaugural season.
New Chapter for European Cricket
The ETPL will be the first franchise competition to be added to the international cricket calendar and will offer a new opportunity to develop the sport on the European continent.
Six teams, 30 league matches and some of the world’s most famous players will make the first season of the European league interesting to watch by cricket fans around the world.
The tournament will end on September 20th when the first ever ETPL Champion will be crowned at Malahide.
