South Africa to host World Cup Qualifiers

As revealed by Cricinfo last month, the ICC World Cup Qualifiers have been moved from Dubai after logistical problems, centring on irrigation, meant that new venues in the Dubai Sports City would not be ready by April 2009.

As a result, the event will now be staged in South Africa. There had been speculation that Bangladesh would be asked to step in, but several leading Associate countries objected on the grounds the conditions there at that time of year would put them at a distinct disadvantage.

"The ICC board was told that the Emirates Cricket Board, the appointed host for the above event, had written to the ICC stating it would be unable to stage the tournament in April 2009 because not all venues required would be ready in time," a statement said. "On that basis, the board accepted the recommendation of the finance and commercial affairs committee that, subject to agreement by Cricket South Africa, the event take place there, at the same time of the year as originally scheduled."

The Qualifiers are the most important competition for non Full-Member countries. The top four finishers will qualify for the 2011 World Cup, while the top six will be granted full ODI status for the next four years. Both earn those involved millions of dollars from the ICC as well as opening up potentially lucrative media deals.