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The national cricket team has long maintained that even though they have qualified for the World Cup, the World Cricket League is really their World Cup. The tournament pits the six associate countries in a bid to say who's the World's best non-Test playing nation.

The Bermuda Sun asked Cricinfo editor Martin Williamson to give us his assessment of the six teams playing for glory and one of two bids for the first-ever World 20-20 tournament.

Bermuda

Stung by criticism over their fitness and attitude after poor results last year, Bermuda need a good performance in Nairobi to silence those demanding results from one of two full-time teams in the tournament (the other being Kenya). They undoubtedly have the potential but this is their last chance to unveil it.

To watch: Dwayne Leverock: he might look to be anything but an athlete, but he has repeatedly shown that he is a matchwinner with the ball and conditions in Nairobi should be to his liking.

Kenya

Kenya are coming good at the right time and the new players have gelled well the old established ones. They were impressive in Mombasa, and with home advantage they will be expected to be in the final at the very least.

To Watch: Ravi Shah: back from more than two years out of the game, he showed that class is permanent with some sublime innings in Mombasa

Canada

With six players over 35, this old squad are one of the outsiders.

They struggled in Mombasa with both the conditions and the opposition and they are reliant on one or two key players to perform if they are to have any chance.

To Watch: John Davison: now at veteran stage, if he shines with bat and ball then Canada could bloody some noses.

Netherlands

A rather unknown quantity. On paper and historically, they are one of the leading Associates, but they can sometimes fail to produce when it matters. However, they won well against Canada and Bermuda in South Africa last November and have a well-balanced side.

To Watch: South African-born, Essex registered batsman Ryan ten Doeschate was outstanding in 2006 and could be the batsman of the tournament

Scotland

With considerable experience gained through playing in English cricket, they should be among the favourites, but they have struggled to recapture the form that won them the last ICC Trophy in 2005. Despite that, they have the professionalism and class to come good when it matters.

To Watch: Zimbabwe-born Ryan Watson is in great nick with the bat and has enough experience to ensure he will not be overcome by the occasion

Ireland

A side which appears to be getting stronger just at the right time, although they will need to use their warm-up matches to acclimatise to unfamiliar conditions, and their lack of meaningful match practice might count against them.

To Watch: Eoin Morgan - A highly rated batsman and, like Ed Joyce before him, has gone from Ireland to Middlesex.

Still only 20, he has the potential and this tournament will be the perfect chance for him to show it.[[In-content Ad]]

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