Suriname take the first steps

Suriname have clinched the opening event of the 2006 Americas cricket calendar, beating Turks & Caicos Islands in the decisive match to secure a home victory in a four-team event that also included Brazil and Chile.

This success in Division Three of the Americas region of the World Cricket League has provided Suriname with a place in the regional Division Two event to be held in Argentina in April where they will face the Bahamas, Belize and Panama in addition to the home country.

Suriname secured the title with a seven-wicket triumph over pre-tournament favourites Turks & Caicos Islands having earlier beaten both Brazil and Chile in the round-robin format. Turks & Caicos Islands finished second with Chile claiming third place thanks to a final-day victory over Brazil. This was the first ever ICC tournament for both Brazil and Chile.

The event is part of a pathway of regional and global tournaments that ultimately leads to the ICC Cricket World Cup and, in winning this event, Suriname have taken one step towards the 2011 World Cup. They will now have to progress through the regional Division Two tournament in Argentina and Division 1 in Canada in August 2006 to reach the global World Cricket League.