Bermuda to host 2015 Cricket World Cup qualifying matches

THURSDAY, JULY 19: Bermuda has won the right to host a round of qualifying matches for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) chose the island as the venue for the World Cricket League Division Three Tournament.

The round robin tournament involves six teams including Bermuda and will see the home nation take on Oman, Uganda and Italy during a week of intense competition.

The two top teams from the Division Four group of Singapore, Malaysia, the USA, Nepal, Denmark and Tanzania will also fly out to Bermuda next summer to take on the four other nations.

The tournament begins on April 28 and will run until May 5.

The top two nations at the end of the Division Three tournament will go through to a final group of 10 nations that will compete with one another in New Zealand in 2014 for the right to play in the main event.

Bermuda Cricket Board executive director, Neil Speight, said that the National Stadium would be the primary venue and host six games.

He told the Bermuda Sun that a decision over what other club grounds would host matches would be made in November after ICC officials had visited the island.

Mr Speight added: "The ICC has regulations over the minimum size of the pitches that can host qualifying games.

“We will consider the grounds on the island and make a final decision over which venues will be used at the end of the year.

“It will come down to quality of surface and whatever the ICC feels is acceptable.

“I am confident we have a lot of good groundsmen in Bermuda and this event will provide a lot of energy as well.

“I am sure Bermuda will give a good account of itself.”

Sports Minister, Glenn Blakeney, said the World Cup qualifying event would provide a boost to the hospitality industry as well get the country behind the national team.

He added: "The tournament will provide a boost to the hospitality sector at the beginning of the tourist season.

“It will promote awareness of Bermuda to many potential tourism markets since the games will be broadcast via live ball-by-ball commentary on Cric-info and have a global following.

“And it will give a unique opportunity for Bermuda officials, umpires, scorers and other personnel associated with cricket to gain international experience and training in a world class cricket event.”

Premier Paula Cox urged islanders to get out to the games and support their team.

She said: " I want to take this opportunity to urge everybody in the community and the business world to join the Government of Bermuda in supporting our national team as they try to emulate the extraordinary heights achieved in 2005 when Bermuda became the smallest country to ever qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup.”