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Namibia to host ICC Intercontinental Cup finals in October
By: JON LONGThe International Cricket Council has announced that Namibia will host the semi-finals and final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2005.
The semi-finals will take place from October 23-25, with the final
taking place from October 27-30.
All matches will be staged in 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 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
July 29-30.
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 April 24.
The Americas region looks set to produce an intense festival of
cricket with the three qualifying matches scheduled for Toronto in
Canada from August 23 to September 2.
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.
- Story courtesy of the ICC
All matches will be staged in 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 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
July 29-30.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 April 24.The Americas region looks set to
produce an intense festival of cricket with the three qualifying
matches scheduled for Toronto in Canada from August 23 to September
2.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.- Story courtesy of the ICC
