Count Down To First-Ever ICC Organized International Event In The USA
Today marks 100 days until the opening of the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 to be played at Woodley Park in Los Angeles, CA.
The first-ever World Cricket League event in the USA, which will be played from October 29 to 5 November, will see the host play off against Bermuda, Denmark, Italy, Jersey and Oman in the six-team tournament. The top-two sides will advance to the ICC World Cricket League Division 3, while the bottom two will be relegated to the ICC World Cricket League Division 5.
A pathway event to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and Test cricket, all teams understand the stakes and are keen to perform well on the global stage.
Joe Scuderi, Head Coach of Italy, is ensuring the Italians are fully prepared for the upcoming tournament:
“We are really excited to compete in the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 in Los Angeles. This is a very important tournament for us and we will be prepared as well as possible to try and progress to Division 3. It will be the first time for many of our team playing in the US and will be a great experience for everyone involved,” Scuderi said.
This international event is crucial for the development and growth of cricket in the USA and the participating countries are excited about the upcoming tournament.
Oman, which recently played in the ICC Twenty20 in India, is thrilled to be part of the inaugural event.
“We are very much looking forward to being part of the development in the region and with its varied sporting landscape in the USA, compared to the rest of the world, is eager to throw its weight behind the development of cricket” said Duleep Mendis, Oman’s national team coach and Chief Development Officer.
The ICC’s commitment to provide USA cricketers the opportunity to play in its international events received widespread support following the recently concluded Cricket Combine’s throughout eight markets of which Los Angeles was one.
The USA squad of 30 was announced earlier this month, which includes five California-based players who are excited about the opportunity of playing in the first ever ICC organized international event on home soil.
Hammad Shahid, a member of the USA Squad, is thrilled LA is hosting the tournament:
“Regardless as to whether I am selected in the final 14, I’m truly excited about my home city hosting an ICC event. The city of LA is a thriving metropolis when it comes to sport and cricket is no different. An international event such as World Cricket League Division 4 will provide further ground swell for the growth of cricket in the US.”
About ICC World Cricket League
The ICC World Cricket League offers teams a chance to get promoted right up to Division 2, which is the final stage in the pathway to qualification for the ICC Intercontinental Cup, the ICC’s four-day first-class competition for Associate and Affiliate members, as well as the 50-over ICC World Cricket League Championship.
The winner of the ICC Intercontinental Cup will play the 10th-ranked Test nation in the four-Test ICC Test Challenge in 2018. If the Intercontinental Cup winner clinches the ICC Test Challenge, then it will become the 11th Test nation until 2022. Similarly, the top sides from the ICC World Cricket League Championship, along with the bottom four sides on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings as on 30 September 2017, will qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 with the top two sides progressing to event proper in 2019.
