EAP Umpiring Coordinator Tony Cooper has just returned from officiating in two ICC Intercontinental Cup games

EAP Umpiring Coordinator Tony Cooper © ICC

I have just returned to Fiji after umpiring two [2] 2005 ICC America's Intercontinental Cup matches in Toronto, Canada, namely;

23 - 25 August - Canada v Bermuda
27 - 29 August - Bermuda v Cayman Islands.

Both my umpiring partner, Trevor Henry [Ireland] and I were appointed by the ICC after we were selected on to the Associates & Affiliates Umpires Panel following assessments by Chris Kelly and Darrell Hair at the ICC World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Malaysia Feb/March 2005.

The matches were played at the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club - a marvellous venue!

Despite trailing by 80 runs after the completion of each teams 1st innings, Bermuda staged a fighting come-back to win quite comfortably.

The Cayman Islands team was a late replacement for the USA and was not fully prepared for the pressure put on them by Bermuda who won very convincingly.

This was my first experience of ICC umpiring outside "one-day" 50 overs matches.

All in all, a most memorable experience!