A Twenty20 game involves two teams; each has a single innings, batting for a maximum of 20 overs. Each game is completed in about three and a half hours, with each innings lasting about 75 minutes. It provides both spectators and players alike with an exciting and high scoring version of the game. This form of cricket was introduced for professional competition in the UK in 2003 and has since spre
ad around the cricket world. In 2009 the Swiss Twenty20 Cricket Association was founded with the objective of promoting the game of cricket and organizing and running 20/20 cricket tournaments in Switzerland. An important factor in developing a tournament concept was the important sponsorship provided by our key sponsor, and supporter, Redhead Capital Management, with additional sponsorship provided by the Hotel Arc-en-Ciel in Gstaad and Berne Cricket Club. The Swiss T20 Cup is in a tournament format and is played for by eight teams, with generous cash prizes for the winners, runners-up and the third placed team. There are Rules and Regulations governing the tournament. The Swiss Twenty 20 Association provides the ground (thanks to Berne CC) and cricket balls for all matches. Umpires and Scorers are kindly supplied by sFocus. The inaugural tournament took place in Berne during September 2009 with eight teams from Switzerland participating. A total of 15 matches were played, the final being held on October 4th 2009. It was a very successful tournament indeed with some excellent cricket being played. Olten CC winning the tournament beating Power Winterthur CC in the Final. Due to the great success of the 2009 tournament, it was decided to hold a tournament in 2010. Again the Berne venue was chosen for the tournament and it was agreed to keep the same format as used in the previous year. Once again some very exciting cricket with Royal Zürich CC lifting the trophy, beating Nomads CC in the Final. The final was sponsored by Volvo Switzerland who had some of their latest cars on show at the cricket ground. All in all this was an excellent tournament. For 2011 the Swiss Twenty20 Cricket Association a major change in our sponsorship occurred. We were both excited and proud to be able to announce a new major sponsor in LLOYDS TSB Private Banking. This sponsorship will allow us to further develop our professionalism in organizing and running tournaments of this kind, and we hope that this partnership will prove to be mutually beneficial. We are also very pleased to be able to announce that Volvo Switzerland has agreed to continue as our co-sponsor, following last year’s successful tournament. Berne Cricket Club will again provide the cricket ground for the tournament. Winterthur C.C. was worthy winners and walked off with the trophy beating Berne C.C. in the final. Once again the tournament was a great success and thanks to all who helped to make it so.
2012 promises to be an interesting year for the Swiss Twenty20 Cricket Association. With further sponsorship from our major sponsor Lloyds TSB Private Banking, together with additional sponsorship from Volvo Switzerland, we have an ambitious programme for this year. The 2012 tournament will move from Berne and early matches will be played in Winterthur and Cossonay, with the final being played in Cossonay. Our thanks go to Winterthur C.C. and Cossonay C.C. for making their grounds available for this year’s tournament. This year will also see, for the first time, the Lloyds TSB Swiss T20 International 20/20 team play friendly games in Austria and in North West Lancashire in England. These fixtures will prove not only challenging but should provide our players with some very good cricket.
