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The International
Cricket Council today announced that Namibia will host the semi-finals
and final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2005.
The semi-finals
will take place from 23-25 October with the final taking place from
27-30 October. All matches will be staged in the capital Windhoek with
the final scheduled to take place at the Wanderers Club.
Namibia Cricket
Board President, Laurie Pieters, said that
the preparations for the finals were already underway.
“The awarding of
the finals of this prestigious ICC event to our country is a major
boost for cricket and those that love the sport in Namibia,” said Mr
Pieters.
“We already have
the grounds and facilities required and preparations have now begun to
ensure that we are ready to welcome the regional winners.”
The second season
of the ICC Intercontinental Cup will begin later this month. The
reigning champion, Scotland, will begin its title
defence three months later with a difficult away tie against Holland
on 29-31 July.
Scotland won the inaugural three-day first class competition for ICC
Associate Members in 2004 without losing a match but Holland ran the
winners closer than any other side in a keenly-contested draw in
Aberdeen. With home advantage in 2005, Holland will be looking to
inflict a first defeat on the holders.
Hong Kong is the only new side in the 12-team ICC tournament which
last season brought competitive multi-day cricket to the second tier
of cricket nations for the first time. It replaces Malaysia in the
Asia regional qualifiers and will begin its campaign in Nepal on 24
April.
The Americas region looks set to produce an intense festival of
cricket with the three qualifying matches scheduled for Toronto in
Canada from 23 August to 2 September.
The ICC Intercontinental Cup format remains unchanged in its second
season. The top team from each of the four regions will progress to
the semi-finals and final in Namibia.
There have been minor changes to the points
structure with more rewards available for first innings runs. Full
details of the tournament rules and playing conditions can be found at
www.icc-intercontinentalcup.com. |
