January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
BDA added to ICC Continental Shield
The world organizing body for cricket announced the competition would have up to 11 teams, including Bermuda, which will compete in two divisions.
Bermuda is scheduled to compete in Division 2 alongside the United Arab Emirates, Namibia and Uganda for the Intercontinental Shield.
Zimbabwe, Ireland, Canada, Kenya, the Netherlands, Afghanistan and Scotland are in a seven-team top division.
Logie told the Bermuda Sun: "We are very, very happy about it. We are quite excited about it because it's a good opportunity for our players to really get some international exposure.
"This is also good for development and get some of the younger players to go on tour and develop their cricket under the longer format.
"It's keeping with the ICC's policy in trying to expand the game. It's an opportunity to stake our claim and move forward.
"With it being a new competition, there is some incentive involved."
Instead of Bermuda being left to wander in the cricket wilderness by missing out on the Intercontinental Cup, the island now has a chance to play on a regular basis.
Logie said: "It gives them an opportunity to showcase their talents in a higher level of competition and an opportunity for improvement.
"I've said this before but all we can do at the Cricket Board is to provide the players opportunities - it is the players themselves who will have to take the opportunity to want to better themselves and take their cricket to another level."
The prize money for the Intercontinental Shield is just $25,000 - a quarter of the $100,000 for the Cup.
Runners-up will collect $10,000 compared to $40,000 in the Cup. Each win will be worth $3,000 in both divisions.
A 10-team Intercontinental Cup had been bandied about but the ICC scrapped the idea after figuring it would be too taxing for what are basically amateur players.
The new structure will allow more countries to participate and make the commitment more manageable.
The schedule for the 2009-10 Intercontinental Shield will be released at a later date.
The ICC has stated there will not be promotion and relegation between the divisions.
First-class?
It has not yet revealed if Shield matches will be considered first-class but it is believed they will be.
Logie hopes promotion to the Cup may soon be on the cards.
He said: "We were looking forward to that. It would have been really nice to have a promotion/relegation situation, especially when you have a two-tier system.
"That would have given a little more incentive to individuals."
Bermuda Cricket Board president Reggie Pearman said: "The Board is extremely pleased with the Development Committee's Decision to expand the Intercontinental Cup Format.
"By creating a divisional format it will make the tournament more competitive and intriguing.
"From a BCB perspective it is a welcome boost to our High Performance Plan as we will have guaranteed international fixtures over the next 18 months.
"Playing countries in the four-day format not only develops our game but also provides opportunities to schedule 50 over and T20 games. I look forward to our games against Namibia, UAE and Uganda."
ICC Chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a press release: "I'm delighted the Development Committee has been so positive and expansive in its approach to the ICC Intercontinental Cup, the flagship multi-day event for teams below Test level.
"This new format will allow the top six Associate teams to maintain a high standard of even competitiveness.
"I am also delighted that, for the first time, the event has prize money for the Associate teams.
"It will assist in their ongoing process to professionalize their operations and that in turn will help them continue to raise their playing standards."[[In-content Ad]]
Comments:
You must login to comment.