Associates go head to head

Canada's John Davison will want to impress © Getty Images

The ICC World Cricket League Division 1 was officially opened in Nairobi on Sunday with the cream of associate cricket getting ready to face off ahead of the World Cup in the West Indies.

Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands and Scotland will go head-to-head in 16 one-day internationals spread over three venues in Kenya’s capital city over the next 10 days with the event culminating in a final on 7 February.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Parklands Sports Club in Nairobi, ICC’s high performance manager Richard Done said this event was a great chance for players and coaches to make their final preparations for the CWC in a competitive environment.

“This tournament is an end in itself as it will provide silverware and bragging rights to the top associate side,” said Done.

“But of far greater importance is the fact that the World Cricket League is a key stepping stone towards the main prize, the ICC Cricket World Cup, for each of these six teams.

“It will provide the perfect platform which the players can build on once they arrive in the Caribbean in a month and, with that platform, they will be well equipped to be competitive.

“That ability to compete at the next level up is crucial to giving the associate game the credibility it needs to flourish on a long-term basis.

“Only with the desire of players to compete at the highest level possible can we hope to make our sport even stronger from top to bottom as it is the only way we can encourage fans, sponsors and full members to give us the support required,” he added.

The World Cup © Getty Images

Done highlighted the progress that has already been made towards this goal, saying: “As part of our commitment to close the gap between associates and full members we have made sure these teams are now playing much more meaningful cricket than ever before.

“Between the World Cup in 2003 and the end of 2005, there were 11 ODIs involving associate members. In 2006 and through to the start of the 2007 World Cup, they will have played another 62 ODIs, including 17 against full members.

“For the first time, all six countries have had full-time national coaches in place for at least 12 months leading into the World Cup. This is a key factor in improving playing stardards,” he said.

Done also pointed out that initiatives such as the WCL as well as the ICC Intercontinental Cup, ICC winter training camp and other programmes are assisting the respective home cricket boards in their efforts to improve the quality of cricket being played throughout the ICC’s 97 members.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony was chairman of Cricket Kenya and ICC executive board member Samir Inamdar, who said it was a proud time for Kenyan cricket.

“We are delighted and honoured to have been chosen to host the inaugural ICC World Cricket League and I would like to extend a warm welcome to all participating teams,” said Inamdar.

“This tournament is a sign that cricket in this country is back on track and we are confident that we will put on a very enjoyable tournament. Cricket Kenya and the local organising committee here in Nairobi have been working hard to make sure it is a success,” he added.

The tournament gets under way on Monday when Kenya take on Bermuda at Jaffery Sports Club in the city. On Tuesday, Ireland take on Scotland at Gymkhana cricket club while Canada and the Netherlands go head to head at Ruaraka cricket club.