Europe - Introduction to Tournaments

A busy programme of European tournaments is organised each year, offering players the chance to represent their country from junior to full senior international level in both the men's and women's games.

The structure aims to provide all member countries with the opportunity to climb the rankings and compete at the highest level in both World Cricket League and T20 competition.

At senior level a global system of five regional T20 events will take place leading into the WT20 Qualifier (2012). Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland have already been confirmed as participating countries in the WT20 Qualifier.

Introduced in 2011 the ICC European Division 1 Championship will involve 12 teams with the top two European members qualifying for the WT20 Qualifier. The remaining 17 European members will have the opportunity to qualify for Division 1 through the European Division 2 and 3 T20 pathway events.

The Senior Women's European Championship is the leading Women's 50 over event, with a T20 format played at the same Championship. Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland will be participating at this event.

In 2011 the U/17 Division 1 and U/19 Division 1 countries will participate in a European Challenge Series. The U/17 Div 1 series will take the format of a 5-team series (3-matches) played over a 2-year cycle (2011-12). The U/19 Division 1 event will also be played as a 5-team challenge series with the return of the U/19 Regional WCQ back into the programme in 2012.

At U/15 level five associate members will participate in the annual Division 1 tournament. At all other junior levels, ICC Europe encourages its members to play bi-lateral series throughout the summer between each other.

The U/19 Division 2 tournament will take place with seven Associate and three Affiliate countries competing in the event. The winner of this event will qualify for the European U/19 WCQ which will take place in 2012.