ICC expands Intercontinental Cup

The next edition of the ICC Intercontinental Cup will feature two divisions and 11 countries, the International Cricket Council has confirmed.

In meetings this week at their Dubai headquarters, the ICC’s development committee also agreed to offer prize money for the first time, with the winners picking up $100,000 (£65,000).

The top division will comprise the six leading Associate nations - Ireland, Canada, Kenya, Holland, Afghanistan and Scotland - and a team from Zimbabwe, subject to approval from Zimbabwe Cricket.

United Arab Emirates, Namibia, Bermuda and Uganda - the other four Associates - will contest the second-tier ICC Intercontinental Shield. There will be no promotion or relegation in the first year of the revamped competition.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “This new format will allow the top six Associate teams to maintain a high standard of even competitiveness.”

“And by creating an additional division we have been able to offer all our High Performance Programme countries multi-day cricket which helps them develop the skills needed to perform at a higher level.

“I am also delighted that, for the first time, the event has prize money for the Associate teams. It will assist in their ongoing process to professionalise their operations and that, in turn, will help them continue to raise their playing standards.”

Ireland beat Canada in a hugely one-sided final in the last Intercontinental Cup in 2006-07, which featured two groups of four teams.