Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced that the four qualifying teams for the ICC World Cup 2015 — including the UAE — will travel to Australia and New Zealand in September and October 2014.
The tours are part of the ICC’s High Performance Programme (HPP), and will assist the qualifiers’ preparations for cricket’s pinnacle 50-over tournament.
Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and the UAE will play against state and provincial sides in Australia and New Zealand, as they count down to the World Cup, which will be held between February 14 and March 29.
During the tour, they will also be able to call on a number of specialist coaches and former players from both countries, to support their training and planning sessions.
The team schedules have been developed in consultation with the individual member boards, as well as Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket and their respective state and provincial associations, and will provide local fans with an early taste of what to expect next year.
The tours will get underway when the UAE, the fourth and last associate team to qualify to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, arrive in Perth on September 7.
The UAE will be making their second appearance at the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015, having played in the 1996 edition.
They have been placed in Pool B along with South Africa, India, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland.
They qualified for the tournament after finishing runners-up to Scotland at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2014 and their preparation schedule will include two matches in Perth, the venue for the side’s clash against ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and ICC Champions Trophy 2013 champions India on February 28.
The UAE will play six one-day matches, including one against Papua New Guinea in Darwin on September 17.
“To play in the ICC Cricket World Cup is the dream of all cricketers; it’s the biggest event that any of us can participate in. It has been 18 years since the UAE’s only appearance at the World Cup, and we are looking to make our mark in 2015,” said UAE coach Aaqib Javed.
“The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand in January was the team’s first taste of the local conditions, and this tour provides us with a strong programme of high-level matches and experience across a range of conditions. It provides a really good opportunity to test ourselves — it is crucial preparation for us.”
Reflecting on the importance of the tours, the ICC’s Chief Executive David Richardson said: “Helping cricket’s top emerging nations to perform on the global stage is a key part of the ICC’s High Performance Programme, and these tours will provide a great opportunity for the four teams to gain valuable knowledge and experience of the conditions they will face during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
“All sides have a strong schedule of matches against high-level opposition, and we are grateful to Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket and their state and provincial associations for supporting the programme so fully.”
