In just over three weeks time, the 2005 ICC Trophy will be held in Ireland. At stake is the title of best associate country, currently held by the Netherlands after their thrilling 2001 final win over Namibia (where victory came following a misfield on the final ball of the match). More importantly, the Top-5 of this tournament qualify for the 2007 World Cup.
12 countries participate, in 2 groups of 6; it's 11 associates, with just Oman being an ICC Affiliate member :
Group A: Ireland, Uganda, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, USA, Bermuda
Group B: The Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland, Canada, Oman, Papua New Guinea
Winners and runners-up from each group will go to the semi-finals and qualify for WC2007. Nos. 3 and 4 from each group go into a play-off (cup-style), the eventual winner claiming the 5th WC qualification spot.
In Group A it looks like Ireland have a fairly easy path to the semi's and therefore the Windies, with UAE and USA (if they can get their act together) providing the stiffest opposition.
Group B is more evenly matched, with WC2003 participants Netherlands, Namibia and Canada having to battle it out with English National League team Scotland. On paper, Oman and PNG will be the whipping boys.
It's hard to predict the outcome, there are basically 6-7 countries who could win this.
Ireland will have three English county plauers, including Ed Joyce.
Dougie Brown and Gavin Hamilton will play for Scotland. John Davison is in the Canadian team. The Dutch have 'done an England' and included South African Essex-player Ryan ten Doeschate in their squad, next to MCC'er Daan van Bunge and former Sussex batsman Bas Zuiderent. Denmark have two county players as well: Amjad Khan and Johan Hansen of Kent. Clayton Lambert is in American colours again, and to general delight the one and only Dwayne Leverock will go off the Richter scale trying to move Bermuda forward.
It pomises to be an exciting tournament, with a number of fairly evenly matched teams...unlike your average Test series
.
My prediction: Ireland to win it, The Netherlands, Scotland, UAE and Namibia to qualify for the World Cup.
12 countries participate, in 2 groups of 6; it's 11 associates, with just Oman being an ICC Affiliate member :
Group A: Ireland, Uganda, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, USA, Bermuda
Group B: The Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland, Canada, Oman, Papua New Guinea
Winners and runners-up from each group will go to the semi-finals and qualify for WC2007. Nos. 3 and 4 from each group go into a play-off (cup-style), the eventual winner claiming the 5th WC qualification spot.
In Group A it looks like Ireland have a fairly easy path to the semi's and therefore the Windies, with UAE and USA (if they can get their act together) providing the stiffest opposition.
Group B is more evenly matched, with WC2003 participants Netherlands, Namibia and Canada having to battle it out with English National League team Scotland. On paper, Oman and PNG will be the whipping boys.
It's hard to predict the outcome, there are basically 6-7 countries who could win this.
Ireland will have three English county plauers, including Ed Joyce.
Dougie Brown and Gavin Hamilton will play for Scotland. John Davison is in the Canadian team. The Dutch have 'done an England' and included South African Essex-player Ryan ten Doeschate in their squad, next to MCC'er Daan van Bunge and former Sussex batsman Bas Zuiderent. Denmark have two county players as well: Amjad Khan and Johan Hansen of Kent. Clayton Lambert is in American colours again, and to general delight the one and only Dwayne Leverock will go off the Richter scale trying to move Bermuda forward.
It pomises to be an exciting tournament, with a number of fairly evenly matched teams...unlike your average Test series
.My prediction: Ireland to win it, The Netherlands, Scotland, UAE and Namibia to qualify for the World Cup.
