January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
No easy matches for Bermuda
20-20 opposition have all its big names out with World Cup spots on the line
No easy matches for Bermuda
With three World Cup spots up for grabs, Bermuda's five opponents have assembled the strongest squads at their disposal.
Seeded six in the tournament, Irving Romaine's men are clearly going to be up against it.
Here, James Whittaker take a look, at the five sides they will be facing in Belfast, starting a week on Sunday.
Ireland
No 1 Seed
Overview: Following their success in the 50-over World Cup where they beat Pakistan and Bangladesh and tied with Zimbabwe, Ireland have become the team to beat in associate cricket. On home soil, with all their English County stars available, they are rightly favourites.
Captain: William Porterfield - The Gloucestershire left-hander has been a thorn in Bermuda's side and scored two centuries against them last year.
Star Man: Trent Johnson - The Aussie born skipper is a dangerous pace bowler and a big-hitting batsman.
Coach: Phil Simmons - Former West Indian all-rounder took the helm after the last World Cup.
Coaches verdict: "We relish the challenge to pit our strengths and talents against our Associate rivals for the privilege of participating against the Full Member countries in England next year. Quite apart from the financial and profile incentives of qualification, the prospect of that alone would be enough to ensure that every Irish player will strain every sinew to come out on top in this qualifying tournament."
Media verdict: "This will be the first true qualifying test in the shorter form of the game and Ireland are ready. They qualified for the World Cup finals from a tournament on home soil and there will be no excuses this time if, by Tuesday night, they are not looking forward to at least two games in England next June. With all three country players - William Porterfield, Eoin Morgan and Niall O'Brien - on board, Ireland should be the team to beat" - Ian Callender, Irish cricket journalist.
Kenya
No 2 Seed
Overview: Embarassingly outclassed by Sri Lanka and New Zealand when they appeared in the inaugural 20-20 World Cup last year, that experience will, nonetheless stand Kenya in good stead in this tournament.
They have played more 20-20 than any of their rivals and a squad that is ideally suited to the shorter format. The conditions in Ireland could stand against them, though they have been preparing for this tournament with a training camp in Rochdale.
Captain: Steve Tikolo - Now 37, Tikolo is still regarded as one of the best batsmen outside of the Test nations. He has played more than 100 ODIs and averages over 30.
Star Man: Thomas Thomas Odoyo - dubbed the black Ian Botham, the veteran all-rounder should thrive in this form of the game.
Coach: Andy Kirsten - the South African is the least famous of the Kirsten brothers. His siblings Peter and Gary, who was the star of the 20-20 classic here a few years ago, played for South Africa.
Coach's verdict: "Kenya will attempt to play an attractive and positive style of cricket which is unique to the African nation, and will aim to be thoroughly professional in trying to maintain the high standards which we set ourselves, at the same time competing in a way which promotes the enjoyable spirit of the game.
Media verdict: "The now famous Twenty20 format of cricket is being keenly followed in Kenya and for the national team it has been a learning experience since their maiden appearance in South Africa last year. In the words of the captain Steve Tikolo: "A lot of water has gone under the bridge and so the situation in Europe will be different. We have been practising the Twenty20 format since our poor show in South Africa and are sure we can now face any opposition. We will be able to make a point" - Joshua Kemboik - KTN television.
Scotland
No 3 seed
Overview: After beating Bermuda handily in the four-day format Scotland will be looking for a repeat victory in the 'fast-food' form of the game.
They have all their big guns back and their experience in the 20-20 World Cup in South Africa, where they fared much better than Associate rivals Kenya, makes them a force to be reckoned with here.
Captian: Ryan Watson - A powerful middle order batsman who scored 80 on his ODI debut against Pakistan and also has a 43-ball county century to his name.
Star Man: Gavin Hamilton - the former England Test all-rounder is back playing for his native Scotland.
Coach: Peter Steindl - Aussie born Steindl is married to a Scot and represented his adopted country 11 times.
Coach's verdict: "The World Cup in South Africa was a great experience for all involved and a huge eye-opener in terms of the energy and pace of the Twenty20 game at the highest level. We are looking forward to this tournament and the opportunity it brings, it will no doubt be a whirlwind adventure."
Media verdict: "The team is still a lopsided entity with more bowlers coming through than batsmen. It's a worry that the runs of Ryan Watson and Gavin Hamilton are still the bedrock of most competitive scores.
"Is there the panache, the guile and the power there to win Twenty20 games? Next weekend will reveal all" - Jon Coates, The Scotsman/Irish Daily Mail
The Netherlands
No 4 seed
Overview: The Dutch were the first of the Associate nations to establish a 20-20 league and have more experience in this format than their rivals.
They don't have the star quality of some of their rivals, although in Ryan ten Doeschate they have arguably the most talented player in the tournament.
Captain: Peter Borren - A right-arm medium pacer who actually represented New Zealand at Under-19 level before opting to play for Holland instead.
Star Man: Ryan ten Doeschate - The hard-hitting Essex batsman has played more than 40 20-20 games for his county with a strike rate of better than a run-a-ball. He averages better than fifty in ODIs and could well be the star of the tournament.
Coach: Peter Drinnen: The Aussie was sacked by Scotland after the World Cup campaign amid concerns about his coaching methods only to be hired by rivals Holland.
Coach's verdict: "The Netherlands squad is a very tight-knit bunch who work extremely well together and this will stand them in good stead when the pressure is on. They support each other, which is crucial when times become challenging. All are looking forward to what I'm sure will be an exciting and extremely close fought tournament. The rewards are significant and all that we need are a few fine days."
Media verdict: "For the second successive year the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) has organised a national Twenty20 - it now seems to be part of the yearly routine. It has generated more enthusiasm for this kind of cricket." - Ingrid can der Elst - Editor Dutch Cricket Magazine
Canada
No 5 seed
Overview: Like Bermuda, Canada have struggled since being admitted to the higher echelons of world cricket.
They have been unable to keep a consistent XI and have fared badly against most of their associate rivals coming into this match on the back of a four-day innings defeat against the Scots. The return of talisman John Davison could make them competitive but they will still be big outsiders.
Captain: Sanjay Thuraisingam - A tubby Sri Lankan born medium pacer, he is the fourth captain in as many tours for Canada.
Star Man: John Davision - The return of the 38-year-old big hitter, who smashed a century against the West Indies a few years ago, is ideally suited to this style of cricket.
Coach: Pubudu Dassanayake - the former Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman also represented Canada as a player after emigrating in 2001.
Media verdict: "Twenty20 could not have come at a better time for Canadian cricket. Embracing it quickly, Cricket Canada just concluded its first T20 national championship in which nine provincial teams vied for top honours. In August, it hosts a quadrangular series involving Canada, Pakistan, Bangladesh and West Indies. It will be followed by a triangular ODI series featuring the hosts, West Indies and Bermuda. Happy (cricketing) days are here again, indeed" - Gurmukh Singh - Canadian cricket journalist.
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