June 27, 2005, 06:26 PM
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Cricket Legend
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Join Date: April 20, 2005
Posts: 4,782
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Battle on for last berths
Quote:
In Group A, hosts Ireland have a strong line up and boast of impressive form displayed over the past few seasons. They achieved a record-breaking 10 successive wins in 2003 and 2004.
They will be boosted by the presence of Middlesex's Edmund Joyce, the first county cricketer to reach 1,000 runs in the ongoing English county season.
The UAE have a record of surprising higher rated teams. They played in the 1996 World Cup after winning the 1994 ICC Trophy in their first attempt.
Batsman Arshad Ali and fast bowler Ali Assad Abbas, who was the leading wicket taker in the ICC Intercontinental Cup last year, are players to watch out for.
In Group B, Canada are strong contenders with the tag of being the only team in the tournament to have won a match in the World Cup, beating Bangladesh in the 2003 tournament.
Captain John Davidson is the trump card in the Canadian line up and fans and supporters alike would be hoping that he would go on to repeat of his magical 67-ball century against the West Indies.
Defending champions Holland also have a strong outfit and are currently coached by the legendary former Australia captain Bobby Simpson.
They have also achieved victories against England and the West Indies in the 1990s and had also qualified for the both the 1996 and the 2003 World Cups.
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