2005 ICC Trophy

Hosts Ireland and underdogs Bermuda have topped Group A in the ICC Trophy, and join Scotland and Canada in qualifying for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. Ireland and Scotland cruised through their respective groups undefeated, with the host nation relying more than once on the talents of their star batsman Ed Joyce, who led the preliminary stages of the ICC Trophy in run scoring, but will be eligable to play for England before the World Cup begins. Canada too qualified comfortably after a crushing victory over Papua New Guinea, while Bermuda thrashed the USA and qualified two points clear of Denmark.

All is not lost for the Danes, as they have two more qualifying matches to try and secure the final place in the World Cup. They meet the Netherlands on Saturday in a must-win tie, playing for the right to meet either the UAE or Namibia in the deciding match for 5th place.

The four early qualifiers now continue into the semi-finals, seeking to take out the ICC Trophy to go with their qualification success.