International cricket returns after four-year gap

Bermuda receive ground approval

Cricinfo staff

May 9, 2008

Bermuda will host their first international match in four years when they play Scotland in the Intercontinental Cup after the National Sports Centre ground received ICC approval.

The surface was condemned by Andy Atkinson, the ICC's inspector, in July 2007. "The square at the Sports Centre is good enough for club cricket, but when you're talking about ODIs or longer games then I'm afraid it's a no-go," he said, adding that bringing in soil from abroad was the only way to rectify the situation. That idea was subsequently slammed by the Bermudan government as it contravened the island's strict laws on the importation of soil.

But after a long consultation between ICC and the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) the ground has been passed fit for Intercontinental Cup matches, but not ODIs as that requires a more extensive assessment process.

"This is a good day for Bermuda and a positive outcome as we work towards our venue securing full ODI status," said Reginald Pearman, president of the BCB. "This is a crucial element of continuing success at the higher levels.

"We recognise the importance of being able to showcase the Bermuda team to play its fixtures at home and we are all looking forward to this match. Scotland continues to be one of the top Associate teams and we are pleased to be able to host them."

Roddy Smith, chief executive of Cricket Scotland, said: "We are delighted that we will be the first opponents for Bermuda at the newly approved stadium. The team have had experience of playing against all our major opponents away from home apart from Bermuda so they are looking forward enormously to Scotland's first visit to the island."

"This is great news for Bermuda cricket," said Richard Done, the ICC's high performance manager. "I am delighted for the cricket fans of Bermuda, who will finally get the chance to see their team in action and it's great for the players, too, because every team likes to play with home advantage."

The last match to be played at the National Sports Centre was the Intercontinental Cup match between Bermuda and USA, which the visitors won by 114 runs.

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Bermuda wait for green light on national ground

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