After many years of discussion and deliberation the World Cricket League was introduced by the ICC with the aim of promoting the game among Associate and Affiliate members and in so doing make cricket a truly global sport. The WCL is a one day competition to complement the Intercontinental Cup which is the four day Associates competition.
Initially envisaged as a three division competition the idea was that the WCL would provide regular global competition for the top 18 non-Full members and decide who would qualify for the World Cup. In fact with a system of promotion (between leagues and regional competitions) and relegation every Associate and Affiliate country would have chance to qualify for the WCL and by so doing have a chance to qualify for the World Cup.
Using the ICC Trophy tournament held in Ireland in 2005 as a benchmark the top 13 places in the three divisions of the WCL were decided. The remaining places went to the top teams from five regional qualifying events in 2006 being the European, African, Asian, Americas and the East Asia-Pacific events.
Thus for WCL Division 1 the top six teams from the ICC Trophy 2005 tournament in Ireland would take part – Scotland, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands, Bermuda and Canada. All matches in WCL Division 1 would have One day International status.
Being played in Jan/Feb 2007 as well as being a useful warm-up for the World Cup being held in March, the prize for the two finalists was a place in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup being played in South Africa in September ’07. In addition, prize money of US$ was on offer.
On the first day, Kenya easily defeated Bermuda by 10 wickets.
On day two, despite 75 from Ashish Bagai, Canada could only muster 200 all out against the Netherlands in 44 overs. Netherlands comfortably reached their target after 35 overs for the loss of only two wickets with Bas Zuiderent making 76*.
In the other match of the day Scotland met Ireland and was the first of several hugely exciting matches. Ireland scored 280-7 off their 50 overs with Jeremy Bray making 116, Trent Johnston 45* and Morgan 41. Scotland were slightly ahead on run rates but the key to the match occurred with Neil McCallum on 93. He attempted a big hit and was superbly caught on the boundary by Porterfield. As he started to make his way back to the pavilion, the umpires conferred and Porterfield was adjudged to have touched the rope and McCallum was 99 not out ! He was out for 100 shortly after with Scotland needing 33 to win from 3 overs. It was McCallum’s maiden ODI century off just 92 balls. Scotland’s target became 15 off the final over and a four off the final ball. Kevin O’Brien was the unfortunate bowler ‘at the death’ as Ireland conceded 18 off the last over to lose. A thrilling last ball finish and a fitting climax to the 100th match between these two old foes.
Scotland were also involved in another close encounter in the second round of matches, this time defeating Canada by 7 runs. Scotland had made 276-4 off their 50 overs with Fraser Watts making 70, Gavin Hamilton 60* and Dougie Brown 48*). Canada in a brave effort finished on 269-9 with the in-form Bagai making 137*.
The other two matches in this round were not as close with Kenya comfortably defeating the Netherlands by 7 wickets and Bermuda losing to Ireland by 4 wickets. For the Irish Porterfield made 112 and Kevin O’Brien 54 in their total of 276-6.
William Porterfield of Ireland. Photo courtesy of Joe Curtis
In the 3rd round of matches the ‘kings of the nail-biting finishes’, Scotland once again came out on top in a thrilling climax this time defeating Netherlands by two runs. Scotland made 207-8 in a match reduced to 37 overs with Fraser Watts making 58. Netherlands were 203-7 going into the final over to be bowled by part-time bowler Paul Hoffman. However in the last over they lost their last three wickets and managed only two runs to be all out off the second last ball for 205.
There was even more dramas in the Kenya / Ireland match which Kenya won in remarkable fashion by 1 wicket and ended Irish hopes of reaching the final. Ireland scored a creditable 284-4 off their 50 overs with Kevin O’Brien scoring a magnificent 142 (easily the highest score by an Irish batsman in a ODI) and Porterfield scoring his second century of the competition with 102*
Ireland's Kevin O'Brien. Photo courtesy of Joe Curtis
When Kenya lost their 9th wicket Kenya’s score was 231, still 54 runs short of victory. Hiren Varaiya joined Thomas Odoyo at the crease and happily nudged ones or twos to give the big-hitting Odoyo the strike. Meanwhile for Ireland, Botha finished his 10 overs, as did Johnston. McCallan had earlier finished his spell with impressive figures of 4-36. With two overs remaining Kenya still needed 19 with the one wicket in hand; Varaiya on strike and the match was still Ireland’s to lose. Johnston then took O’Brien out off the attack with two overs remaining and threw the ball to fellow Aussie Dave Langford-Smith (DLS). Varaiya nudged a single off the second ball of the over and 18 were needed off 10 balls.
Unbelievably Odoyo then struck six-six-four-four and Kenya were victors with a full over to spare. Odoyo had made 61*. DLS was inconsolable and Adi Birrell, Ireland’s coach was left to ponder his side’s shortcomings in the bowling department and to wonder about the impact on morale of such humiliating defeats.
The other match of the 3rd round was a more sedate affair with Canada inflicting a 3rd defeat in as many games on the Bermudans, this time by 56 runs. In a rain-affected match Canada made 162-8 off their 21 overs (John Davison made 69*). Bermuda were never really in the hunt and were all out for 106.
After three rounds of five then, Kenya and Scotland had won their three matches, Netherlands, Canada and Ireland had each won one and lost two and Bermuda had lost all three. Unless something strange happened it looked like a Kenya / Scotland final.
In the fourth round, Scotland after 3 narrow victories caused an upset by comfortably defeating the table-topping Kenyans by 77 runs. After posting a solid 254-8 off their 50 overs Kenya were bowled out in 46 overs for 177. Odoyo was again in the runs with 53.
Netherlands made it four defeats in a row for the hapless Bermudans by defeating them by 8 wickets. After bowling Bermuda out for 194 (Ten Doeschate 3-37), the Netherlands eased home by 8 wickets. Ten Doeschate made 109* while Bas Zuiderent made 71.
It was however another tale of woe for the Irish against the Canadians. Once again the Irish batsmen laid an impressive platform by scoring 308-7 off their 50 overs. This time it was Eoin Morgan weighing in with 115 ably supported by Kevin O’Brien, 52. However it was the Canadians who emerged victors again winning in the final over and finishing on 312-4 with 2 balls to spare. Bagai scored 122, Ali 60* and Davison 57. Once again the lack of depth and experience in the Ireland bowling attack was exposed.
Eoin Morgan. Photo courtesy of Barry Chambers
Going in the final round then, Scotland’s final berth was secure. Kenya were in second place but faced Canada in the final round who could overtake them with a big win when the two went head to head.
It was Kenya however who stamped their authority all over this competition by thrashing Canada by 158 runs. Kenya scored 250-9 off their 50 overs and then bowled Canada out for 92 in 14.5 overs.
In the final match of their campaign Ireland concluded a nightmarish tournament for them by losing another tight match to the Netherlands by 6 runs.
After being inserted by Ireland the Dutch with Darron Reekers scoring a brilliant aggressive 104 and Eric Szwarczynski, playing in his first match of the tournament making an assured 56* ran up a total of 260-7. A good score. Still at 195-1 with Porterfield and Morgan well set, Ireland were favourites to win. However once again they failed to close out the match. Three overs later Ireland were 202-5 and despite 25 from skipper McCallan Ireland fell short.
In the remaining match with Scotland having one eye already on the final, Bermuda were able to record their first victory by a surprisingly comfortable 5 wicks with an over in hand.
So the final was set – Kenya against Scotland.
Perhaps there was more to Scotland’s loss to Bermuda than met the eye because Kenya comfortably won this match. On a good batting track, Scotland began cautiously and collapsed to 66-6. Though recovering to 155 all out off 47 overs it was never likely to be enough. So it proved as Kenya knocked off the runs for the loss of just two wickets with over 9 overs to spare. David Obuya made 93.
For Kenya then a good tournament and though playing at home will add credibility to their claim to be the best nation outside the Test arena.
On the face of it, a satisfactory tournament too for the Scots, finishing as runners-up. However question marks about their tame finish to the tournament will be asked. They had only one convincing win, ironically against the winners Kenya. Their victories over Ireland, Canada and Netherlands were by narrow margins.
Netherlands will be reasonably satisfied with a 3rd place finish but will be regretting their narrow loss by 2 runs against Scotland...a mere 3 runs being the difference between a place in the final and a shot at the title and being an also ran.
Canada will be dissatisfied with their tournament their only victories being against Bermuda and the hapless (or luckless?) Ireland despite the superb form of Ashish Bagai who won the Man of the Tournament award.
While Ireland scored plenty of runs (five of the ten centuries scored in the tournament were by Irish batsmen (Porterfield (2), Bray, O’Brien and Morgan) their bowling lacked sufficient depth and the ‘luck of the Irish’ was non-existent throughout.
Finally Bermuda looked an ageing team well past its best.
The tournament overall showed how exciting Associates can be – plenty of thrilling finishes and exciting, unpredictable cricket.
Looks like the World Cricket League could just be the tonic that is needed to galvanise Associates’ cricket.
FINAL: Kenya beat Scotland by 8 wickets, 7 February, Gymkhana Nairobi
Scotland 155 (47.0 overs, L Onyango 3-43)
Kenya 158-2 (37.5 overs, D Obuya 93)
P W T L Pts NRR
Kenya 5 4 0 1 8 1.36
Scotland 5 4 0 1 8 0.35
Netherlands 5 3 0 2 6 0.12
Canada 5 2 0 3 4 -0.85
Ireland 5 1 0 4 2 -0.06
Bermuda 5 1 0 4 2 -1.31
Copyright: Cover Point
