Peter Power reports on the latest developments in Danish cricket. (3 Sep 1999)

2 September 1999

Peter Power reports on the latest developments in Danish cricket.

"Shakespeare wrote or could have written "now is the summer of our discontent made glorious summer by the sun of York". This quotation says quite a lot about the cricket summer in Denmark so far, except that it was not made glorious by the sun. The month of June was very wet and only in July did the sun come out, but then it was the International Cricket that took over and from a Danish point of view it was a summer of discontent. Not only did the Danish national side succumb to the better teams from Pakistan 'A' and Sri Lanka 'A', but also the under 19 team did not do well in Ireland as expected, neither did the under 15 team do well in Scotland, the Under 17 team was wiped out in Holland, the Under 23 team did not to do well in Holland either and to finish the charade the women's team did not do so well either in the European Championships in Denmark.

To add to the discontent the continuation of the domestic season was also last weekend ruined by rain. There is no doubt that there are several clubs who would like to abolish the rule about bowl outs in matches affected by rain. There are several clubs who wish to play cricket in July, but this is the month in which all the international cricket is played, and if it would be unfair to several clubs to play cricket when several of their players are involved in the Danish teams. One has to remember that there are not enough top players to go round when playing international cricket. This leaves only a certain amount of weekends to play domestic cricket, and therefore it is not practical to reschedule matches are affected by rain, as there is not enough time. This season would have meant that certain clubs would be financially crippled by having to play several matches again. Therefore the "bowl out" rule is practical.

On Sunday the big match is to be played between Herning and Svanholm, both teams are neck and neck at the top of the Premiere league. The week after they meet agin in the return match and I expect that the Danish Championship will be decided by then. Nykøbing Mors have without any doubt bought a ticket to the 1st. Division and Nørrebro are second last facing a qualification match against no. 2 from the 1st. Division, unless they win their last matches. In the 1st. Division Aalborg Chang and Husum are fighting it out at the top. Chang lost suprisingly last weekend, but that was due to a "bowl out". The two teams meet on September 5th. North Jutland's Hjørring and Weat Jutland's Holstebro look a bit doomed at the bottom of the 1st. Division, while Svanholm II, Glostrup II and Kerteminde are fighting out the two qualification places. So all we can hope for is for the weather.

Things are hotting up now we are getting closer to the end of the season. Herning have now made themselves favourites for the title after beating Svanholm at home in their first meeting by 66 runs. It was quite an interesting match and it looks promising for their return meeting on Sunday in Copenhagen providing the weather holds. The battle for third place has opened up as KB lost footing losing to Glostrup, who have picked up since the beginning of the season. Esbjerg are now breathing down their necks after beating Nørrebro. Newcomers Skanderborg look like booking themselves a place for next season after they won their match last Saturday over Nørrebro. Nørrebro lost both their matches in Jutland and now must prepare themselves for playing a qualification match to remain in the Premier League.

The battle for promotion to the Premier League is still between Husum and Ålborg Chang, who will meet in the last match of the season. The losers will probably play a qualification match against Nørrebro. Holstebro lost both their matches in Copenhagen and seem doomed for relegation. Second last Hjørring raised their hopes by beating Svanholm's seconds, while the battle for the two qualification places is between Kerteminde, Svanholm II and Ringsted. KB seconds and Århus look like gaining the right to play for promotion to the 1st Division."