Time for the action to start in this year's ICC Intercontinental Cup finals

It is almost time for the talking to stop and the action to start at the finals of the ICC Intercontinental Cup, the first-class tournament for non Test-playing countries.

The four sides left in the tournament - Bermuda, Ireland, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates - have been completing their preparations ahead of the semi-finals that begin in Windhoek, Namibia on Sunday.

Those sides are each battling for the right to be called the leading first-class side outside the Test arena and the next week is likely to prove a severe examination of their cricketing credentials.

The two semi-finals pit much-fancied Kenya against Bermuda, recently qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time, while a weakened UAE side comes up against Ireland, like Bermuda destined for a first taste of the World Cup in 2007.

Kenya, the winners of the Africa group, will have to answer two key questions: can they cope with the tag of being favourites and will they be able to maintain their energy levels after an intense build-up that has included a whistle-stop tour of Zimbabwe?

The latter question is relevant because Steve Tikolo's squad, with five players over 30 years of age, played seven days of cricket out of nine ahead of their flight to the finals.

However, Kenya Cricket Association Chairman Samir Inamdar said: "I spoke to the team manager on Friday night and everyone is ready and willing to play.

"There were a few niggles picked up in Zimbabwe but that is be expected and it should have no bearing on the ability of any of the lads to take the field."

Kenya's favouritism comes from the fact that, after a couple of years of turmoil within the administration of the game in that country, everything appears to be back on track.

Unlike last year, when that turmoil meant a weakened side contested the finals, the Kenyans are at full strength with most of the players that reached the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003 back in national colours.

Between the 13 squad members, they can boast 336 ODI caps and five of them have more than 50 appearances at that level.

Bermuda lie between them and a place in the finals that start on Thursday 27 October and Clay Smith's side will be no push-overs.

Coached by former West Indies batsman Gus Logie, Bermuda have already come through a tough test just to get to Namibia by beating a strong Canada side, as well as the Cayman Islands, to top the Americas group.

And after qualifying for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time earlier this year thanks to strong performances in the ICC Trophy, a clash with Kenya will hold no fears for them.

The other semi-final sees Ireland, winners of the Europe group, up against the Asia group winners UAE and, on paper at least, Ireland look strong favourites.

They are without Ed Joyce, the batsman who did so much to help them reach the final of the ICC Trophy as he is wintering with the England Academy after qualifying to play for them, but they still look a formidable unit at this level.

However, their preparations have been thrown off track by problems in the run-up to Sunday's match.

Four of their players - vice captain Kyle McCallan, Andrew White, Greg Thompson and Peter Gillespie - missed the team flight from London to Namibia after their connecting flight from Belfast was delayed. And although they all arrived on Friday morning, White missed the squad's final training session because of `flu.

Team manager John Wright confirmed on Saturday morning off-spinner White is the side's only fitness concern ahead of the match but it means Ireland are likely to leave it as late as possible before finalising their starting eleven.

The UAE have had selection problems of their own leading into the finals with mass unavailability because of work commitments.

It means they are fielding a much-weakened side which, in turn, places a heavy burden of responsibility on the shoulders of captain Arshad Ali and opening bowler Ali Asad.

Both men will have to be at their very best or else some of their team mates will have to perform above expectations if they are to progress through to the final.

Ahead of the opening ceremony on Saturday evening, ICC Vice-President Percy Sonn said the ICC Intercontinental Cup is a key element of the ICC's Development Program below Test level.

"It provides all the players that take part with a really challenging environment, which is exactly what people in any walk of life need if they are going to improve," said Mr Sonn.

"This tournament offers batsmen the chance to occupy the crease for long periods while bowlers have to look to take wickets rather than just contain opponents as they might do in one-day cricket.

"The disciplines these players will learn mean that if and when they come up against players from one of our Full member countries in the future they should be better equipped to cope with the transition.

"Together with the ICC Trophy and the ICC World Cricket League, the ICC Intercontinental Cup is a vital part of our Development Program and I am certain it will serve up plenty of high-quality entertainment this week," he added.

The semi-finals:

Semi-finals:

Semi-final 1: Ireland v United Arab Emirates, Wanderers Sports Club, 23, 24 & 25 October - Umpires: Roger Dill and Russell Tiffin

Semi-final 2: Kenya v Bermuda, United Sports Club, 23, 24 & 25 October - Umpires: Paul Baldwin and Tony Hill

Final:

Wanderers Sports Club, 27, 28 & 29 October - Umpires: Tony Hill and Russell Tiffin

There will be a new name on the ICC Intercontinental Cup this year following Scotland's success in the inaugural Event, in 2004, when they defeated Canada in the final.

Throughout the build-up to the 2005 finals week, the ICC's corporate affairs department has issued information on the four semi-finalists and further details of the ICC Intercontinental Cup.

Further details of this year's ICC Intercontinental Cup, including previous media releases, can be found here