ICC Youth World Cup spots up for grabs

After the recent ICC Trophy tournament decided the last five places for the ICC Cricket World Cup in West Indies in 2007, the cricket focus shifts from seniors to juniors in Africa and East Asia - Pacific with the ICC Africa/EAP U19 World Cup Qualifier commencing in Benoni, South Africa on Sunday 21 August.

The tournament will be hosted by the African Cricket Association (ACA) in conjunction with ICC Africa and ICC East Asia - Pacific offices with the two EAP associate countries joining the six African associates for the seven day event.

The big target for all teams is to finish first or second and thus qualify for the ICC Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka in February 2006.

"This tournament presents a very exciting opportunity for the eight competing teams" comments Africa Development Manager Hoosain Ayob "There is a Youth World Cup berth at stake so all teams will be keen to put their best foot forward in representing their country."

All games will be played at four venues in Benoni, a 20 minute drive east of Johannesburg, with Papua New Guinea defending their title won at the corresponding tournament in Namibia in 2002.

The tournament commences with the official opening ceremony at Willowmoore Park on 20 August with the final to be played at the same venue on Friday 26 August.

Pool A: Kenya, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Zambia
Pool B: Fiji, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda

Results from all games will also be published daily on www.icc-eap-cricket.com and www.icc-africa-cricket.com during the tournament.