While the Austrian Cricket Association has had a difficult year off the field, on it the competition has been stronger than ever.
Thirteen teams competed for the open league title with teams being split into two groups: the northern league, comprising the nine Vienna based teams, and the southern league consisting of teams from Graz, Ljubljana (Slovenia), Salzburg and Velden. With the exception of Salzburg CC, who won all of their games, the group stages were keenly contested. A sign of the closeness of the competition being that Vienna CC, who finished top of the northern league, lost three of their eight games.
The group stages were followed by quarter and semi-finals with Pakistan CC and Austria CC Wien overcoming Vienna CC and United Nations CC respectively in the semis.
The Open League final was played on a cold, damp, windy, grey Saturday. Austria CC Wien amassed 203 for 6 in their 45 overs (reduced from 50 due to the weather), with PCC knocking off the runs in the 43rd over for the loss of seven wickets.
To cap a memorable weekend for PCC, the following day they beat Pakistan Falken CC in the inaugural Austrian Cricket Association Twenty20 competition. Chasing 104 for victory Pakistan Falkens were unable to get the four runs needed off the last ball to win leaving Pakistan CC with the league and cup double.
Neil Foster