The Spanish national cricket team is the team that represents the Kingdom of Spain in international cricket. They became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council in 1992 and an associate member in 2017. They made their international debut in the ECC Trophy in 2001, finishing in 6th place. They played in the tournament again in 2001, this time finishing seventh. In the equivalent tournament in 2005, the European Affiliates Championship, they put in a much improved performance to finish in third, just missing out on promotion to Division Two of the European Championship. They played in Division Three of that tournament in 2007 and will play in Division Three once again in 2009. In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 matches played between Spain and other ICC members after 1 January 2019 will be a full T20I.
History
Cricket is first recorded as being played in Spain in the year 1809 by soldiers of General Lord Wellesley. During the Peninsular War the soldiers played the game in and around Ciudad Rodrigo, Lugo and Orense. There are many records of the game being played by visiting British land and sea forces, either among themselves or against local British expatriate communities. The game entered a new era in Spain with the founding of Madrid Cricket Club in 1975. It was based at first on British and Indian players, but soon West Indian and Spanish members joined. In June 1989, a National Executive Committee was formed and the first steps were taken to unify all of the cricket playing clubs in Spain.
2018-Present
In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 matches played between Spain and other ICC members after 1 January 2019 will be a full T20I. Spain played its first ever T20I against Malta on 29 March 2019, during the 2019 Spain Triangular T20I Series. The match was played at La Manga Club, Murcia, Spain. On 3rd May 2019, International Cricket Council release global rankings for Twenty20 International in which Spain were placed on 41st rank.
First International Tournament (ECC Trophy/ICC Europe Championships)
Spain played their first tournament in 2001 in Austria. It was the ECC Trophy 2001. They also played their first match of their international cricket history in that tournament. They were in the Seebern Group amongst 2 groups. In their group there were Portugal, Malta, Finland and Sweden. Every match of the tournament was 35 overs. They played their first match at 13 August 2001 match in Seebarn Cricket Centre No 1 Ground, Lower Austria against Portugal. After winning the toss Portugal came down to bat and scored 229/6 in 35 overs. Opener Nadeem Butt scored 69. But due to their slow overrate Spain could play 32 overs. In 32 overs Portugal made 166/7. G Howe made 40 the highest score of Spain's innings. Portuguese bowler Bagvanadaia made 3/19 in 4 overs. So Spain lost their 1st international match against Portugal by 63 runs. Spain's next matches was against Finland. It was on 14 August 2001 at Seebarn Cricket Centre No 2 Ground, Lower Austria. After winning toss Spain came down to bat. They made 222/3 in 35 overs. Batsman G Howe made 103 which was the highest of Spain's innings. Finish bowler Scott Thurling took 2/36 in 7 overs. In bowling Spain smashed their opponent Finland. Finland could make 141/9 in 35 overs. Scott Thurling made highest 43 in Finland's innings. G Howe took 3/29 in 7 overs. Spain got a victory of 81 runs and got their first win in international cricket.
