ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier begins Monday

DUBAI: The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier New Zealand 2014 gets under way on Monday January 13 with 10 of the leading Associate and Affiliate sides in the world vying for the final two qualification spots in the ICC s pinnacle event the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

The 10 sides taking part in the World Cup Qualifier formerly known as the ICC Trophy have been split into two groups of five teams each with top ranked United Arab Emirates in Group A alongside 2005 winner Scotland, 2009 finalist Canada, Hong Kong and Nepal.

Group B includes 2001 champion Netherlands, two time finalist Kenya, 2001 finalist Namibia, Papua New Guinea and Uganda.

The top three sides from each group will progress to the Super Six stage where they will play the teams from the opposing group.

The top two sides from this stage will progress to the February 1 final which will be played at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.

The finalists will join the 10 Full Members as well as Afghanistan and Ireland in the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which will be played from February 14 to March 29, 2015.

The winner of the February 1 final will join co-hosts Australia and New Zealand alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England and Sri Lanka in Pool A while the runner up will team up with defending champion India, Ireland, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe in Pool B.