Bermuda venues confirmed for ICC tournament

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9: The venues for the ICC Pepsi World Cricket League Division 3 Tournament in Bermuda next year have been announced.

Glenn Blakeney, Minister of Youth Families and Sport, today revealed The National Sports Centre, St David’s Cricket Club and Somerset Cricket Club will stage the six-nation, one-week event in April when Bermuda will fight it out against Uganda, Oman, Italy, Nepal and United States to reach the World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand.

The three selected venues this week passed inspection by Edward Fitzgibbon, ICC’s Development Events Manager. Bailey's Bay Cricket Club has also been chosen as the official stand-by venue and has been approved for pre-tournament practice games along with Western Stars Cricket Club and St George's Cricket Club.

The tournament acts as the final qualifier for ICC Associate and Affiliate nations to reach the World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand in 2014. Two countries from that event will then go on to contest the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia & New Zealand in 2015.

Mr Blakeney said in a press release: “When Government supported the BCB in the bidding process for this competition it recognized the opportunity to provide a boost to tourism in the shoulder season in 2013.  

“It is expected that a minimum of 150 people will be coming to our beautiful shores to compete/participate in this event.

“A significant number of supporters are also expected to come and rally behind their teams. Furthermore, I have already been advised that teams from several countries wish to arrive in Bermuda a minimum of 10 days before the official support period, which should serve to increase even further the demand for local accommodation associated with this global event.

He added: “This international sporting event is an important opportunity for Bermuda to showcase not only its cricket players and our enthusiasm for cricket, but also a unique opportunity to demonstrate that Bermuda is a premier venue for hosting regular one-day international (ODI) cricket for cricketing nations around the world.

“I take this opportunity to again encourage all of Bermuda to support its national team in its efforts to return to the ICC High Performance Programme and ODI and enjoy some great cricket in April 2013.”

The Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel has been confirmed as the official tournament hotel.