Announcement

The ICC Six Nations Challenge will take place in the United Arab Emirates from 29 February to 6 March 2004.

The host country will be joined by Canada, Holland, Namibia, USA and Scotland in the competition that will decide the final qualifying place for the ICC Champions Trophy 2004 in England.

The winner of the ICC Six Nations Challenge will play both Australia and New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy.

This will be the second ICC Six Nations Challenge and the first time that it will feature six Associate Member countries.

The schedule of the round robin tournament – which will determine the final qualifying place for the ICC Champions Trophy in England later this year - has kept the three teams that featured in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 apart for the first round of matches on Sunday 29 February.

On the opening day Canada will face hosts United Arab Emirates, Holland have a tough opener against Scotland while Namibia will take on USA.

All of the teams will play five 50-over matches concluding on Saturday 6 March. The top side at the end of the tournament will qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy England 2004 where they will face the mouth-watering prospect of matches against Australia and New Zealand.

Amongst the other fixtures in the ICC Six Nations Challenge there will be a rematch of the ICC Trophy 2001 final between Holland and Namibia on Wednesday 3 March and Scotland will have an opportunity to avenge its defeat to Canada in the play-off final of the same tournament on Thursday 4 March.