The Swiss Stars U15 team recently traveled to Luxembourg to compete in a 15-over, 9-a-side Indoor Cricket Tournament, defending their title after last year’s undefeated championship run. This year, the competition featured Belgium Red, Belgium Yellow, Luxembourg U15, and the Luxembourg Women’s Development Team. The tournament provided the perfect platform to test our bench strength, develop good players into great ones, and reinforce our commitment to playing competitive cricket in the right spirit.
Day 1: Learning, Adapting & Dominating
Match 1: Swiss Stars vs Belgium Red
The tournament opener saw Belgium Red batting first and setting a challenging 169-run target. Both teams took time to adjust to the indoor rule where balls hitting the roof were deemed dead, resulting in missed six-hitting opportunities. The Stars put up a strong fight but eventually fell 26 runs short, a result that served as a crucial learning experience for the team.
Match 2: Swiss Stars vs Luxembourg Women
A core tradition of Swiss Stars U15 is to play cricket in the right spirit, and whenever we face a development team, we provide them with opportunities by batting and bowling in reverse order. This unwritten rule has become a well-appreciated tradition, reinforcing our commitment to fair play and player development.
Batting first, five of our players retired after reaching their set milestones, ensuring everyone got a chance to contribute. The team posted 184/4 runs, and in response, our bowlers dominated the game, securing a 106-run victory. The match also highlighted our excellent fielding display, with sharp catches and quick reflexes in the field.
Match 3: Swiss Stars vs Luxembourg U15
Now fully acclimatized to the playing conditions, Swiss Stars put on an outstanding all-round performance. The batters set an imposing target of 188/4, and the bowlers stepped up once again, delivering an exceptional display to bowl out Luxembourg U15 and secure a 98-run victory—a clear statement that the Stars were finding their rhythm.
Day 2: A Statement Win & Final Standings Drama
Match 4: Swiss Stars vs Belgium Yellow
Facing the tournament’s strongest side, who had already beaten Belgium Red, the Stars knew a clinical performance was needed. The bowling attack stepped up with disciplined execution, restricting Belgium Yellow to 138 runs. The chase wasn’t easy, as Belgium Yellow’s fiery bowling and aggressive fielding tactics tested the team’s composure. However, with a well-planned and calm approach, Swiss Stars sealed victory inside 13 overs, placing them at the top of the table.
With three teams (Belgium Red, Belgium Yellow, and Swiss Stars) finishing with equal points, Net Run Rate (NRR) became the deciding factor. After Swiss Stars had completed all their matches, Belgium Yellow and Belgium Red were aware that their final games would determine the standings, giving them the opportunity to push aggressively for big-margin wins. Belgium Yellow capitalized on this by securing a dominant victory over the Luxembourg Women’s team, ensuring they climbed to second place. Belgium Red, needing a similar boost, also registered commanding wins against Luxembourg U15 and the Women’s team, ultimately edging ahead on decimal points to claim the top spot. Due to time constraints, the organizers opted not to hold a final, and Belgium Red was declared the tournament winner. While the Swiss Stars finished just short, the team’s performances, approach, and spirit throughout the tournament were widely acknowledged and appreciated.
More Than Just Results – Winning Hearts with Spirit
Despite missing out on the title by the slimmest of margins, the Swiss Stars U15 team left an indelible mark on the tournament. The organizers recognized the brand of cricket played by the team, not just in terms of skill and results, but also in their sportsmanship, team spirit, and respect for the game.
This tour was a huge success in fulfilling its primary objectives—testing our squad depth, providing exposure to all players, and sharpening our competitive edge. The performances showcased the team’s ability to adapt, fight back, and handle pressure situations, setting a strong foundation for the future.
A big thank you to the players, parents, and supporters who made this tour a memorable one. The journey continues, and the Swiss Stars will be back stronger than ever!
Nilesh Chorvada
Head Coach – U15 Swiss National Team
