Dr. Ali Bacher says Toronto 2001 likely to be last ICC Trophy

Toronto 2001 is likely to be the last ICC Trophy as we know it, with future Associate qualification for the 2007 World Cup almost certain to be conducted on a regional basis.

The obvious was all but confirmed by Dr. Ali Bacher this week, who said he "would be very surprised" if the ICC Trophy continued past 2001.

There are presently 26 ICC Associate members, with the possibility of at least two more countries being given Associate status at the International Cricket Council's June meeting, making the Trophy a major logistical exercise.

"Probably what would happen is that say the top two Associates from Africa or wherever would qualify from their region for the main World Cup as in soccer," Dr. Bacher said.

Dr. Bacher, who is the main proponent of automatic qualification for Bangladesh and Kenya and an increase to 14 countries for the World Cup, said the future of the ICC Trophy would be formally discussed for the first time at the June meeting.

It is likely the continental tournaments such as the European Championship, Africa Cricket Association Cup and the Asian Cricket Council Trophy would double as World Cup qualifying tournaments.

Toronto 2001 will be the first ICC Trophy where teams will be split into divisions, with the top 12 from 1997 forming the 'elite' division, before being joined by the first four from the bottom division in a 16 team knockout.