2005 ICC Trophy

The 2005 ICC Trophy was a cricket tournament held in Ireland between 1 July and 13 July 2005. It was an international one-day tournament played over 50 overs per side between 12 Associate Members of the International Cricket Council. It served as the final part of the Cricket World Cup qualification process, coming with the prize of a place in the 2007 Cricket World Cup (and together with it a share of US$2.5 million for future development) for the five top-ranked teams, and with the prize of official One-Day International status from 1 January 2006 (until the 2009 ICC Trophy) for the five top-ranked teams along with Kenya (who had already been given official one-day status until the 2009 ICC Trophy and a spot in the 2007 World Cup).

For the first time, five spots were on offer for the World Cup, compared to three previously. On 7 July, the top 4 teams Scotland, Canada and for the first time Ireland and Bermuda qualified for the 2007 Cricket World Cup and, from 1 January 2006, gained official One-Day International status. On 11 July the Netherlands also achieved this by beating the United Arab Emirates to finish fifth. Scotland won the tournament, beating Ireland by 47 runs in the final.

Dutch batsman Bas Zuiderent was named the Player of the Tournament.

It was the final edition of this competition titled 'ICC Trophy' before it was renamed to the 'Cricket World Cup Qualifier' for 2009.

Firsts

 * The 2005 ICC Trophy featured coloured player clothing, white cricket balls and black sight screens instead of the traditional white clothing, red ball and white sight screens which had been used in the previous editions.
 * All matches were accorded List A status unlike the previous editions which were classified as minor matches.

Competition format
The 12 teams were divided into two groups of six teams. Each team played with each other in its group once. Five matches per team were played between 1 July and 7 July. The resulting group tables were then each divided into three bands of two teams each.

Combining the two groups, the four teams in each band then played a mini knock-out tournament consisting of two semi-finals, a championship, and a consolation match, so that the first- and second-ranked teams from each of the original groups were playing for first through fourth place in the tournament overall; the third- and fourth-ranked teams for fifth through eighth; and the fifth- and sixth-ranked teams for ninth through twelfth. Thus at the end of the tournament all teams are given a definitive rank between 1 and 12. The final play-offs were played on 11 July with the final on 13 July.

Apart from the academic interest in this final classification, one match in particular had great significance: the winner of the second band's mini tournament would, by taking fifth place overall, become the fifth and final team to win temporary ODI status and an invitation to the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Group A
Ireland (315 for 8) beat Bermuda (218 for 6) easily as Ed Joyce made 103 for the hosts in Stormont.

Denmark beat Uganda by 28 runs as Thomas Munkholt Hansen took 6 for 30 to carry Denmark to a 28-run win over Uganda in Muckamore. Denmark made 196 with Johan Malcolm making 71. Despite 59 from Kenneth Kamyuka, the Africans could only manage 168 in reply.

The United Arab Emirates (200) beat the United States (145), who remain in disarray after their recent political troubles.

The upset of the day was a 30 run win by Bermuda (217) over the United Arab Emirates (187).

The United States went down to a heavy 96 run defeat by Denmark, for whom wicket-keeper Frederik Klokker starred with 138 not out and a smart stumping.

An all-round performance by the Irish batsmen saw them through to 231 for 8 against Uganda. In reply, however, only Frank Nsubuga, with 59, put up any resistance as the hosts ended up winners by 127 runs.

Bermuda (249) steered towards the second spot in the group and the World Cup with a thumping 93-run win over Denmark, who lacked application in their batting as they were all out for 156.

Ireland were troubled by the United Arab Emirates in a match that could decide Ireland's qualification for the Cricket World Cup. The UAE batted first, making 230 in 48.3 overs before being bowled out, and a fiery opening spell from Ali Asad then reduced the Irish to 23 for 4. Ed Joyce and Trent Johnston rebuilt with a partnership of 122, and Joyce batted well with the tail to make 115 not out in Ireland's 231 for 8.

Uganda (237 for 4) recorded their first win, beating the USA by six wickets (236), Joel Olwenyi top-scoring with 76 after all-rounder Frank Nsubuga had taken 3 for 33

All of the Group A games were washed out or abandoned because of weather conditions. Under the playing conditions, the rest day was only to be used as a reserve day if all matches in both groups were washed out. Therefore, the games between Ireland and the United States, Denmark and the United Arab Emirates (after the UAE had reached 57 for 3 after 15 overs), and Uganda and Bermuda were all "no results". The wash-out eliminates the United States from World Cup and ODI status contention.

Bermuda, who were ranked as the third-best team from the Americas coming into the tournament easily overcame the United States. 132 from only 88 balls from JJ Tucker and 52 extras saw the Bermudians through to 311 for 8. The Americans started by keeping up with the run rate, but wickets fell and they finished all out for 198.

Ireland (222 all out) beat Denmark (149 all out) to take the remaining automatic qualifying spot for the World Cup and ODI status.

The UAE (201 all out) secured a 63 run victory over Uganda (138 all out) to make sure they would be in the 5th place semi-final along with the Danes.

Group B
The closest game of the first round was between Canada and Namibia. John Davison, who at the time held the record for the fastest century in the Cricket World Cup made 125, supported by Ian Billcliff's 90 as the North Americans put on 284. In reply, Namibia came close, making 282 to lose by 2 runs in Group B's first heavyweight clash, thanks to Canada's captain, Kevin Sandher's five wickets. Namibia put in a protest, however, claiming that the scoring in the 45th over was wrong. The technical committee turned down Namibia's protest, which prompted Namibia to put in an appeal. Namibia's appeal against the technical committee's ruling was turned down, meaning that Canada retain the 2 points they won on 1 July.

The Netherlands (71 for 1) were easy winners over Papua New Guinea (69 all out) by 9 wickets.

Oman (83) were easily beaten by Scotland (84 for 4) by 6 wickets with 31 overs to spare.

The biggest game of the round saw Scotland (190 for 3), courtesy of Fraser Watts (81*) and Gavin Hamilton (86*) end up winners by 7 wickets over Canada (189).

Namibia (252) got off the board with a comfortable victory over Papua New Guinea (156).

Bas Zuiderent made 119 and Daan van Bunge 92 as Netherlands piled on the runs, whereas only one Omani scored in doubled figures as Oman (67) were completely thrashed by Netherlands (325 for 5) by 258 runs.

Canada got into trouble against Oman – after having bowled them out for 184, wickets fell around John Davison – who made 74 – and Ian Billcliff, but eventually the Canadians snared a two-wicket win.

The Netherlands secured a win over Namibia, but the match was eventually much closer than it could have been. After Edgar Schiferli took four wickets for 50, helping with bowling Namibia out for 188, Bas Zuiderent and Tom de Grooth opened up a partnership of 135. Four quick wickets sent the Dutch struggling to 155 for 4, but Zuiderent and Ryan ten Doeschate saw them home.

Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea were bowled out for 90 by Scotland, John Blain and Dougie Brown taking four wickets each, but Toka Gaudi gave the Scots a scare with his three wickets. However, the Scots managed a five-wicket win.

Scotland (236 for 7) maintained their 100% record with a 27 run win against Namibia (209 all out) in a game reduced to 33 overs in which Ryan Watson starred with 87.

The Netherlands (187 for 9) batted first against Canada in a game reduced to 35 overs a side. A further 19 minute break for bad light meant the Canadians target was reduced to 160 in 30 overs. Despite 5 for 30 from Billy Stelling, Canada reached their target with one ball and 2 wickets to spare in an innings anchored by Desmond Chumney with 64.

Rain reduced Papua New Guinea's match against Oman to a 24 over-a-side affair. The Papuans reached 134 for 7 in their overs, before skittling the Omanis for 41 all out.

With Canada (319 for 4) winning heavily against Papua New Guinea (159 all out), thanks to Billcliff's 102* and Davison's 62, the Canadians made sure they qualified for the World Cup and ODI status on run-rate.

Namibia (173/4) easily overhauled Oman's score of 170 with almost nine overs to spare.

Scotland (221 all out) maintained their 100% record against the Netherlands (123 all out), which saw Scotland through to the semi-finals. The Netherlands, along with Namibia (173 for 4), who beat Oman (170 for 9) by 6 wickets, qualify for the 5th place semi-finals.

Final standings
1 – On August 9, 2005 the ICC expelled the USA, which saw them not compete in the 2007 Division One.

Leading batsmen
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Leading bowlers
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