Big R
08-08-2005, 09:41 PM
LONDON (AP) - The United States has been kicked out of an international cricket tournament after a disputed election left the Americans unable to decide on a team.
The International Cricket Council on Monday named the Cayman Islands to replace the United States in the ICC Intercontinental Cup.
The American ousting follows disputed elections in March at the U.S. Amateur Cricket Association with two factions claiming leadership of the body.
"We are not able to wait any longer, as it is necessary to finalize details of the competing teams," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said.
Regional qualifying in the Intercontinental Cup takes place Aug. 27-Sept. 2 in Toronto, Canada. The winner of a series between Bermuda, Canada and the Cayman Islands advances to the semifinals and final beginning Oct. 23 in Windhoek, Namibia.
The tournament is for countries just below the level of the world's 10 test-playing nations, led by Australia, England, India, Pakistan and South Africa.
In a letter to the USACA, Speed wrote: "The ICC has been extremely patient in seeking to enable the two parties to agree on a team. It is very disappointing for all concerned that you have not been able to agree on the final composition of the team."
The USACA says about 10,000 players - primarily expatriates from south Asia and the Caribbean - compete in weekend games in the United States, mostly in California, Florida and around cities on the east coast.
The International Cricket Council on Monday named the Cayman Islands to replace the United States in the ICC Intercontinental Cup.
The American ousting follows disputed elections in March at the U.S. Amateur Cricket Association with two factions claiming leadership of the body.
"We are not able to wait any longer, as it is necessary to finalize details of the competing teams," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said.
Regional qualifying in the Intercontinental Cup takes place Aug. 27-Sept. 2 in Toronto, Canada. The winner of a series between Bermuda, Canada and the Cayman Islands advances to the semifinals and final beginning Oct. 23 in Windhoek, Namibia.
The tournament is for countries just below the level of the world's 10 test-playing nations, led by Australia, England, India, Pakistan and South Africa.
In a letter to the USACA, Speed wrote: "The ICC has been extremely patient in seeking to enable the two parties to agree on a team. It is very disappointing for all concerned that you have not been able to agree on the final composition of the team."
The USACA says about 10,000 players - primarily expatriates from south Asia and the Caribbean - compete in weekend games in the United States, mostly in California, Florida and around cities on the east coast.