Desert Springs Cricket Ground, Almeria
Almeria
Desert Springs Cricket Ground in Almeria represents one of Spain's premier cricket facilities, carved from the arid Andalusian landscape to create an unlikely but thriving cricket venue. This purpose-built ground has emerged as a significant destination for international cricket, particularly serving as a neutral venue for various nations' matches.
The ground has hosted 44 documented matches, showcasing its growing importance in European cricket. In ODI cricket, the venue has seen just three matches, where teams batting first have dominated completely with a 100% success rate, averaging 240 runs in first innings. The pitch appears to favor batsmen in longer formats, offering good value for shots while maintaining competitive totals.
However, it's in T20 cricket where Desert Springs truly comes alive, having hosted 41 matches. The format reveals a more balanced contest, with teams batting first winning 46.34% of matches and averaging 120.20 runs. This suggests the pitch offers assistance to bowlers as matches progress, possibly due to the dry Spanish climate affecting surface conditions.
The ground's unique setting in Spain's southeastern desert region creates distinctive playing conditions rarely found elsewhere in European cricket. The consistent Mediterranean climate allows for reliable scheduling, making it an attractive venue for touring sides seeking neutral grounds. While lacking the traditional cricket atmosphere of established venues, Desert Springs has carved its niche as a modern, professional facility serving international cricket's expanding footprint.
Ground Stats by Format
ODI
Matches played3
Avg 1st innings240
Avg 2nd innings189
Highest total270
Lowest total171
Bat first win %100.0%
T20
Matches played41
Avg 1st innings120
Avg 2nd innings102
Highest total204
Lowest total49
Bat first win %46.3%
Recent Matches
| Date | Match | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Oct 2023 | Ireland vs Scotland(117/7 / 121/2) | T20 | Scotland won by 8 wickets |
| 23 Oct 2023 | Scotland vs Ireland(91/10 / 92/3) | T20 | Ireland won by 7 wickets |
| 21 Oct 2023 | Ireland vs Scotland(239/10 / 206/10) | ODI | Ireland won by 33 runs |
| 19 Oct 2023 | Ireland vs Scotland(270/6 / 191/10) | ODI | Ireland won by 79 runs |
| 17 Oct 2023 | Scotland vs Ireland(211/10 / 171/10) | ODI | Scotland won by 40 runs |
| 12 Sept 2023 | Scotland vs France(204/4 / 49/9) | T20 | Scotland won by 155 runs |
| 12 Sept 2023 | Italy vs Netherlands(78/7 / 79/4) | T20 | Netherlands won by 6 wickets |
| 11 Sept 2023 | Scotland vs Netherlands(122/7 / 63/10) | T20 | Scotland won by 59 runs |
| 10 Sept 2023 | Scotland vs Italy(200/6 / 83/10) | T20 | Scotland won by 117 runs |
| 10 Sept 2023 | France vs Netherlands(73/10 / 75/1) | T20 | Netherlands won by 9 wickets |
