DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The West Indies’ hopes of having home advantage in next year’s World Cup Qualifiers have been dashed with the ICC revealing that South Africa and Namibia will co-host the event in February.
According to a report from Cricinfo, the Qualifiers are slated to be held from February 26 to March 21 and will feature 10 teams vying for the four remaining World Cup spots.
The ICC previously indicated to potential participants earlier this year that the tournament would be played between February 22 and March 23, but the revised dates were confirmed at the ICC’s meetings held in Dubai last week.
The West Indies will have to battle through the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa and Namibia
Though venues were not put down then, several officials privy to the discussions told Cricinfo the ICC has finalised South Africa and Namibia as hosts.
Along with the West Indies and Ireland, the competition will also feature the top four teams from World Cricket League Division 2 (WCL 2) – currently Scotland, USA, Netherlands and Oman – and four other teams that come through a World Cup qualifier playoff, which is set to be played from December 1 to 22 at an undisclosed venue.
Co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe were given automatic qualification to the World Cup, along with the next eight teams in the rankings. That includes India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
CMC
