For six Associate and Affiliate sides, the latest step on the road to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand is about to commence in Bermuda.
However a cloud of uncertainty has surrounded Nepal’s National Cricket team’s visit to Bermuda for their participation in the ICC World Cricket League Division-III following the delay in visa process by the British High Commission.
Nepal was scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Tuesday at 3:00pm to catch a British Airways flight to Bermuda. But, following the delay, Nepal’s departure has been put on hold until the visas are received. Cricket Association of Nepal General Secretary Ashok Nath Pyakurel said there was nothing they could do at this time. “We were supposed to receive the visas 15 days after we applied for them on April 6. The Bermuda Cricket Board has already sent us the confirmation that it has forwarded the visas to the British High Commission in New Delhi, but we have not received them yet. We have no other option than to wait, and if the visas don’t reach us, there is nothing we can do,”
Italy, Nepal, Oman, Uganda, USA and the host Bermuda are expected to come together to compete in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division 3.
For the six teams competing, the tournament offers more than the chance to lift the trophy of a global event – it also offers the opportunity to advance to the ICC’s flagship global event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
The top two sides will progress to the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which will be held in New Zealand in 2014 and feature 10 of the leading Associate and Affiliate teams. The top two sides from the qualifying event will then advance to the 14-team ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
As the teams start to arrive in Bermuda, Stephen Outerbridge, captain of the host team, says his team is firmly focused on a top two finish. “The team recognizes the importance of finishing in the top two of WCL Division 3 if they have aspiration of playing in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup,” he said.
The 29-year-old is looking forward to the opportunity to display the great game as well as his side’s skills on home soil. “As recently appointed captain of Bermuda I think this is a great opportunity for my team to showcase its talents on home soil with the support of family, friends and supporters. I am grateful for the trust that has been bestowed in me. I hope to deliver success for my team and country at this tournament.”
In 2012, Bermuda finished 13th at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in the UAE, and, more recently, it finished second in the 2013 ICC Americas Division 1. The left-hander believes his team can continue building on these results.
“I hope that everyone has learned from our previous disappointments, which should help us put together a string of positive team performances going forward.”
USA captain Steve Massiah says his team is focused on finishing in the top two for a number of reasons. The 33-year-old, who was born in Guyana, believes that his side is well prepared for the event. “Our preparation for the tournament has been thorough and the team is looking forward to improving our professionalism on and off the ground.”
Oman, which is returning to WCL Division 3 after finishing third in the event in 2011, defeated Bermuda in the first warm up match and captain Vaibhav Wategaonkar is looking forward to the event. He said: “This tournament means a lot to me, as I’m captaining the national side for the first time, and also it means a lot for the whole team.
“It’s a big and very important opportunity for us. If we qualify for the WCL Qualifier 2014, then we will get the chance to play against WCL Championship teams, and playing against them is an enriching experience and also it helps us to show our talent on a bigger cricketing platform,” Wategaonkar continued.
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