Next week sees the 4th South American Cricket Championship played in Buenos Aires from 7th to 10th December. As with the expansion of cricket worldwide, this year's event is the biggest cricket tournament yet held on the South American continent, with seven teams in action, including over one hundred players.
Argentina have a proud record at this tournament, having won all three previous competitions, in Buenos Aires in 1995 and 1997, and in Lima in 1999. In fact, Argentina have a distinguished record of played nine, won nine.
However, this year sees Cricket Argentina represented by the Argentina "A" selection, technically an Argentine second eleven, and competition should be fierce, particularly from the six visiting teams looking for a first title.
Traditional opponents Brazil, Chile and Peru will be back with strengthened squads, and dark horses, the Guyana Masters, will be looking to go one better than their runners-up place in Lima. Venezuela will have to be watched, as will debutants Panama.
4th South American Championships - Fixtures:Thursday 7th December (11h00 start)Argentina "A"v Panama,at CorimayoBrazilv Peru,at LomasGuyana Masters v Chile,at Hurlingham
Friday 8th December (11h00 start) Argentina "A" v Brazil, at Lomas Peru v Panama, at Hurlingham Guyana Masters v Venezuela, at Corimayo
Saturday 9th December (10h30 start) Argentina "A" v Peru, at Hurlingham Brazil v Panama, at Belgrano Chile v Venezuela, at Lomas
Sunday 10th December FINAL, at Lomas, and 3rd/4th Play-off, at Corimayo.
The teams have been divided into two sections - Blue Group contains Argentina "A", Brazil, Panama and Peru, while the Green Green Group contains Chile, Guyana Masters and Venezuela.
After a round-robin section in each group, the winners will compete in the final, while the runners-up will contest the bronze medal.
The Championship Dinner will be held at the Belgrano Athletic Club on Saturday 9th December, and tickets are available at $20-00 per head. Special guest for the event will be Robert Weekes, ICC Development Manager for the Americas.
For further information regarding the event, email the Argentine Cricket Association - cricketargentina@mail.com