Among the laureates at the dinner at the Hotel Parc Belle-Vue were Alison Fry, who received the batting award, Kerry Fraser, who received the bowling award, Lydie Wykes won best all-rounder and Maria Serfioti won most-improved player and club member of the year.  

The Optimists’ Maidens Cricket Club was founded after a fun game between men’s team the Optimists and their wives back in 1992. “Anthea MacDonald, who was the wife of the captain at the time, Euan MacDonald, suggested they name themselves the Optimists' Maidens and they started organising fixtures with any ladies’ teams of the teams the Optimists played like Chateau de Thoiry, Antwerp and Brussels,” Maidens chairwoman Patricia Gautier L'Aiguille told Delano.

The sport, which is well-established in the UK, the Indian subcontinent, South Africa and Australasia, quickly found a new home in Luxembourg after the Optimists cricket club for men was founded in 1976, establishing a headquarters for the sport at the Pierre Werner grounds in Walferdange. Today, the team also boasts a junior section and there are also five other men’s teams playing in the Luxembourg Cricket Federation.

Establishing a women’s side took more time, however. “There has always been a core of committed long-term players in the club but due to the transient nature of life in Luxembourg, we have seen a lot of players come and go over the years,” Gautier L'Aiguille explained. It doesn’t help that the rules can seem quite complex at first glance. Among the most common questions people ask, Gauthier said, is “Does that mean I’m out?”.

“With 10 means of getting or being “out” in the game, novices playing are often surprised that their time at the crease has ended unexpectedly. Cricket also tends to get confused with croquet so people are generally surprised by how physical a game it can be,” the president said.

One critical factor for the team’s endurance has been an emphasis on junior development as well as tournaments and games. Girls can now play with the Optimists’ Maidens from the age of 14. The introduction of cricket coaching at the University of Luxembourg has also attracted new blood to the sport, from both men and women.

In 2017, interest from women in cricket received a boost after the women’s world cup was held in England, and which England won in a close final against India. “Women’s cricket teams have sprung up everywhere,” Gautier L'Aiguille said and ICC Europe has a development officer with focus recently being on developing women and girls’ cricket.”

In the summer, the Optimists’ Maidens play friendly games with corporate mixed teams composed of staff from institutions like the Court of Auditors and European Parliament or private sector firms. They also play international games where possible at weekends.

 “We try to get in a couple of games each season from the closest women’s team, which is based in Brussels,” Gautier L'Aiguille said, adding: “We also put a team in for the six-a-side completion each year and participate in the annual Think Pink [charity fundraising] cricket game.”

The Optimists’ Maidens train on Wednesday evenings in the spring from 6pm. In winter they train Sunday mornings at Bereldange Sports hall from 12:30 to 3:30pm. Click here to find out more.