Desert Springs Cricket Ground is a T20I venue in Palomares, Spain, that recorded 29 matches between 2020 and 2022.
The ground hosted Germany's highest team total of 180/3 and Norway's lowest score of 78/9 during its active T20I period.
Overview
The Desert Springs Cricket Ground is a sports venue located in Palomares, Cuevas del Almanzora, Almería, Spain. It serves as a key T20I stadium, having hosted 29 matches between March 2020 and November 2022. The ground was selected in September 2019 to host Germany's tour of Spain in March 2020, which included two Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket matches between Spain and Germany. The first international cricket match on the venue was the two teams' first T20I on March 8, 2020. This inaugural match also produced the highest team total at the ground, with Germany scoring 180/3. The venue has also been used by Derbyshire, Lancashire and Somerset for training ahead of the start of the cricket season in England. In April 2021, the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave accreditation for the stadium to host One Day International (ODI) cricket matches. The most active team at the venue is Germany, with 15 matches played. The lowest team total recorded is 78/9 by Norway on April 30, 2022. The best bowling figures are 5/11 by LA Burns on April 30, 2022. The highest individual batting score is 96 by JW Jenner on October 21, 2021. The most recent match date is November 6, 2022.
Venue Profile
Located in Palomares, Cuevas del Almanzora, Almería, Spain, the Desert Springs Cricket Ground serves as a key venue for international cricket in Southern Europe. The site gained prominence in September 2019 when it was selected to host Germany's tour of Spain in March 2020. This selection led to the venue hosting two Twenty20 International (T20I) matches between Spain and Germany. The first international cricket match on the venue was the two teams' first T20I on March 8. This inaugural game marked the beginning of the ground's role in the T20I circuit.
The ground has also been used by Derbyshire, Lancashire and Somerset for training ahead of the start of the cricket season in England. This usage highlights the venue's utility for English county teams preparing for their domestic campaigns. In April 2021, the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave accreditation for the stadium to host One Day International (ODI) cricket matches. This accreditation expanded the venue's potential beyond T20I fixtures, allowing it to host longer format games.
What is the highest team total at Desert Springs Cricket Ground?
Germany established the benchmark for scoring at this venue on the opening day of T20I cricket at the ground. On 2020-03-08, the team posted a highest team total of 180/3 in their inaugural match against Spain. This performance set the initial standard for batting performances in Palomares, marking the start of a 29-match history at the stadium. The chase occurred during the first international contest held at the Desert Springs Cricket Ground, which was selected to host Germany's tour of Spain in March 2020.
At the other end of the spectrum, Norway recorded the lowest team total at the venue. On 2022-04-30, the side was bowled out for 78/9 in a match against Spain. This low score coincided with the best bowling figures recorded at the ground, as LA Burns claimed 5/11 on the same day. The contrast between the 180/3 high and the 78/9 low highlights the variable conditions and competitive depth of the T20I fixtures held in Almería.
Beyond team totals, individual milestones have been set during the 29 matches played between 2020 and 2022. JW Jenner scored the highest individual batting score of 96 on 2021-10-21. Germany remains the most active team at the venue, having played 15 matches compared to other visitors. The ground received ICC accreditation for One Day International cricket in April 2021, expanding its status beyond T20I hosting. The most recent match at the venue took place on 2022-11-06, concluding the current sequence of recorded fixtures.
Individual Records at Desert Springs
Batting performances at this venue have been defined by consistency under pressure. The highest individual score recorded in the 29 matches played here is 96 runs, achieved by JW Jenner on 21 October 2021. This near-century stands as the benchmark for individual batting output at Desert Springs, highlighting the ability of batters to capitalize on the conditions during the 2021 season. No other player has surpassed this mark in the T20I fixtures held between March 2020 and November 2022.
On the bowling side, the most dominant spell occurred on 30 April 2022. LA Burns claimed figures of 5 for 11, representing the best bowling performance in the venue's T20I history. This achievement coincided with Norway's lowest team total of 78 for 9, demonstrating the correlation between exceptional bowling spells and restrictive batting outcomes at this ground. Burns' performance remains the statistical peak for bowlers competing in the 29 matches documented at this Spanish venue.
Match History and Timeline
The venue hosted its inaugural Twenty20 International match on 8 March 2020, marking the beginning of a three-year period of T20I activity. This opening fixture featured Germany and Spain, with Germany posting a score of 180/3 to set the initial benchmark for team totals at the ground. The match schedule spanned from that March 2020 debut through to the most recent recorded contest on 6 November 2022. Over this timeframe, a total of 29 matches were played at Desert Springs Cricket Ground, establishing it as a regular stop for European T20I fixtures.
Germany emerged as the most active team at the venue, participating in 15 of the 29 matches. Their frequent presence highlights the ground's role in hosting tours involving the German national side. The chronological record shows consistent usage across the three-year window, with matches occurring in March 2020, October 2021, and April and November 2022. This distribution indicates that the ground served as a key location for bilateral series and potential tri-series formats during this period.
The statistical range of these 29 matches is defined by the extremes recorded in the ball-by-ball data. The highest team total remains the 180/3 scored by Germany in the inaugural match on 8 March 2020. Conversely, the lowest team total was recorded on 30 April 2022, when Norway were bowled out for 78/9. These two scores bookend the scoring potential at the venue, with the Norway total occurring in the same match that produced the best bowling figures.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at Desert Springs Cricket Ground?
The highest team total is 180/3 by Germany, achieved on 2020-03-08.
What is the lowest team total at Desert Springs Cricket Ground?
The lowest team total is 78/9 by Norway, recorded on 2022-04-30.
Who holds the highest individual batting score at the venue?
JW Jenner holds the record with 96 runs, scored on 2021-10-21.
What are the best bowling figures at Desert Springs Cricket Ground?
LA Burns recorded the best bowling figures of 5/11 on 2022-04-30.
Which team has played the most matches at Desert Springs Cricket Ground?
Germany is the most active team at the venue, having played 15 matches.
Summary
Desert Springs Cricket Ground hosted 29 T20I matches from 2020-03-08 to 2022-11-06. Key records include Germany's highest total of 180/3, Norway's lowest total of 78/9, JW Jenner's highest individual score of 96, and LA Burns' best bowling figures of 5/11.