ICC scraps U-19 World Cup qualifiers

The ICC has decided to scrap its Under-19 World Cup qualifying tournament. This year's competition, which will be held in Ireland next month, will be the last edition of the tournament. The ICC Development Committee has made the decision to revert to the previous system of allocating one position for Associate and Affiliate nations to each region.

The ICC said the decision was made as they thought they could invest the money saved from the qualifying tournament in a more appropriate to help cricket in Associate and Affiliate countries. "The issue is around what the Members regard as the most appropriate way to invest ICC funding in Associate/Affiliate cricket," they said in an email to ESPNcricinfo. "The significant funds saved from the U19 global qualifier not taking place every two years will be retained by the developing cricket world and be used to supplement the substantial amount of ICC activity already in place for the benefit of Associate and Affiliate Members." The ten-team qualifying tournament reportedly costs US$750,000 to stage.

The first stage of the current qualifying tournament begins in Dublin on July 28 with the second stage to be played in Derry from August 3-9. Ten teams - Ireland, Scotland, USA, Canada, Afghanistan, Nepal, Kenya, Namibia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea - will be competing for the six remaining places in the 2012 Under-19 Cricket World Cup scheduled to take place in Australia.