Ireland edge closer to World Cup

IRELAND are even closer to qualifying for the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

Without bowling a ball at Waringstown yesterday, their ICC Trophy Group A clash against the USA was called off due to heavy rain.

However, the point garnered from the abandonment has put them in an even stronger position to be one of the four teams from the groups stages to go through to face the big cricketing nations in the Caribbean.

A fifth team will also qualify when the knock-out stages for the ICC Trophy get underway in Dublin next week.

Ireland play their nearest Group A rivals, Denmark, tomorrow at Bangor but only a massive defeat by over 100 runs will see the Scandinavians pip Adrian Birrell’s side. The Irish coach has seen his side remain unbeaten in Group A with seven points, two ahead of the Danes whose game against the United Arab Emirates at Uprithard Park yesterday was abandoned after only 15 overs.

In Group B, Scotland and Holland are equal top and are also looking good bets along with Ireland to travel to the West Indies.