The 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Four was an international cricket tournament that took place during April and May 2018 in Malaysia.[2][3] It formed part of the 2017–19 cycle of the World Cricket League (WCL) which determined the qualification for the 2023 Cricket World Cup.[4][5][6] The top two teams were promoted to the 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament[7] and the bottom two teams were relegated to Division Five.[8]
| Dates | 29 April – 6 May 2018[1] |
|---|---|
| Administrator(s) | International Cricket Council |
| Cricket format | Limited-overs (50 overs) |
| Tournament format(s) | Round-robin and Knockout |
| Host(s) |  Malaysia[1] |
| Champions |  Uganda |
| Participants | 6 |
| Matches | 17 |
| Player of the series |  Ben Stevens |
| Most runs | Ahmad Faiz (298) |
| Most wickets | Irfan Afridi (15) |
Two of the three final round of group stage matches finished as a no result because of rain.[9] Per the rules of the tournament, the matches were replayed on the final day of the competition, with the play-off round scrapped and used as a reserve day.[9] Therefore, the final league standings were used to determine the promotion and relegation places.[9]
Uganda won the tournament and were promoted to Division Three,[10] along with runners-up Denmark.[11] Vanuatu and Bermuda finished in fifth and sixth respectively, and were relegated to Division Five.[12] Hosts Malaysia finished third and Jersey finished fourth, therefore both team remained in Division Four.[12] Ben Stevens of Jersey was named as the player of the tournament.[13]
Teams edit
Six teams qualified for the tournament:
Uganda (5th in 2017 ICC World Cricket League Division Three)[14]
Malaysia (6th in 2017 ICC World Cricket League Division Three)[14]
Denmark (3rd in 2016 ICC World Cricket League Division Four)[15]
Bermuda (4th in 2016 ICC World Cricket League Division Four)[15]
Jersey (1st in 2017 ICC World Cricket League Division Five)[16]
Vanuatu (2nd in 2017 ICC World Cricket League Division Five)[16]
Preparation edit
The Uganda cricket team played a 20-over match and four 50-over matches against the Saudi Arabia cricket team in Kyambogo and Lugogo to prepare ahead of the tournament.[17][18] Uganda also played two friendly matches against a visiting academy team from India.[19] Malaysia played matches against Singapore in March 2018, for the Stan Nagaiah Trophy.[20] Jersey played two one-day games against Kent County Cricket Club, before playing two further warm-up games in Singapore.[21] Bermuda played three practice matches in Dubai before travelling to Malaysia for the tournament.[22]
Squads edit
 Bermuda[23]Coach: Clay Smith |
 Denmark[24]Coach: Jeremy Bray |
Jersey[25] Coach: Neil MacRae |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia[26] Coach: Bilal Asad |
Uganda[27] Coach: Peter Kirsten |
 Vanuatu[26][28]Coach: Shane Deitz |
Points table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | NR | Pts | NRR | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uganda
|
5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1.175 | Promoted to Division Three for 2018 |
| 2 | Denmark
|
5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0.349 | |
| 3 | Malaysia
|
5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0.322 | Relegated to ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League |
| 4 | Jersey
|
5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.044 | |
| 5 | Vanuatu
|
5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | −0.677 | |
| 6 | Bermuda
|
5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | −1.065 |
Fixtures edit
The fixtures were confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in April 2018.[26]
Round robin edit
v
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- Malaysia won the toss and elected to bat.
v
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- Denmark won the toss and elected to field.
v
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- Jersey won the toss and elected to field.
v
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- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to field.
v
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- Denmark won the toss and elected to field.
- Denmark were set a revised target of 114 from 23 overs due to rain.
v
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- Bermuda won the toss and elected to field.
v
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- Jersey won the toss and elected to field.
v
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- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to field.
v
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- Denmark won the toss and elected to bat.
v
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- Denmark won the toss and elected to field.
- Denmark were set a revised target of 131 from 29 overs due to rain.
v
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- Jersey won the toss and elected to bat.
- Malaysia were set a revised target of 232 from 42 overs due to rain.
v
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- Bermuda won the toss and elected to bat.
v
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- Denmark won the toss and elected to bat.
v
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- Malaysia won the toss and elected to bat.
Replays edit
As the following two matches finished in a no result on the previous day, the scheduled play-off round was scrapped, with the fixtures restarted from scratch.[30][31]
v
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- Malaysia won the toss and elected to bat.
Final standings edit
| Pos. | Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Uganda |
Promoted to Division Three for 2018 |
| 2nd | Denmark
| |
| 3rd | Malaysia |
Remained in Division Four[n 1] |
| 4th | Jersey
| |
| 5th | Vanuatu |
Relegated to Division Five[n 1] |
| 6th | Bermuda
|
Notes edit
- ^ a b These were the original placements following the conclusion of the group. However, in October 2018, the ICC replaced WCL Divisions Three, Four and Five with the Cricket World Cup Challenge League, with these teams being assigned to that competition.[32]
References edit
- ^ a b "Jersey to travel to Malaysia for World Cricket League 4". ITV News. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Road to ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 starts in South Africa". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
- ^ "World Cricket League Division Four: Jersey to travel to Malaysia for tournament". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Qualification Pathway". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "Thailand hosts World Cricket League event for first time". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ "Groundwork for 2023 World Cup begins at WCL Division Four". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Malaysia, Denmark and Jersey all win on Day 1 of ICC World Cricket League Division 4". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Despite washout, Malaysia's promotion hopes stay alive". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ a b c "Rain drama denies Uganda promotion; re-match against Jersey on Sunday". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ "The Cranes defend 90 to save the Danes". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ "'Cup final mentality' key to Uganda's success – Brian Masaba". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ a b "World cricket: Uganda promoted to Division Three". New Vision. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ "Uganda and Denmark qualify for ICC World Cricket League Division 3". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Oman, Canada secure promotion; USA avoid relegation". ESPN Cricinfo. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ a b "USA holds off Oman to claim WCL Division Four title". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Vanuatu stun Italy to gain promotion with Jersey to Division Four". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia cricket team arrives in Uganda for international ties". Xinhuanet. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- ^ "Saudi visit to help players polish up for Malaysia trip". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- ^ "India's Speedy Cricket Academy to test Uganda's team". Xinhua News. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ "Following WC Qualifier disappointment, focus shifts to WCL Division 4". CricBuzz. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "Historic victory Jersey's reward cricketers". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ "Dubai will not be a vacation, says Smith". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "BCB Confirms Team for ICC WCL Div 4". Bermuda Cricket Board. 6 April 2018. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- ^ "Truppen Til World Cricket League Div.4 Er Udtaget". Dansk Cricket (in Danish). 15 March 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ^ "Chuggy's men for mission to Malaysia". Jersey Evening Post. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- ^ a b c "Six teams travel to Malaysia on road to ICC Cricket World Cup 2023". International Cricket Council. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Karashani has faith in Malaysian charge". Daily Monitor. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
- ^ "VCA announce team for World Cricket League division 4". The Vanuatu Independent. 28 March 2018. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "ICC World Cricket League Division Four Table - 2018". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ "Vanuatu stun Denmark to leave promotion door open for Jersey". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ "Sunday's matches at the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 will determine which teams qualify for Division 3". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ Penna, Peter Della (21 October 2018). "Associates pathway to 2023 World Cup undergoes major revamp". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 23 November 2020.