LONDON, Nov 30: The Intercontinental Cup for non-Test playing nations will become a global competition from 2006, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Wednesday.

Matches will be increased to four days’ duration from three, the ICC added in a statement.

So far a regional tournament, it will be played next year by eight countries divided into two groups with the winners meeting in the final.

From 2007, it will be converted to round-robin format with the eight teams playing each other over a two-year period with the final probably between the top two in the final standings.

“This new format means we can truly have the best playing the best for the right to be called the top associate side at first-class level,” ICC global development manager Mathew Kennedy said.

“With only one team from each of the four regions qualifying for the semifinals it meant it was not always possible to ensure the four strongest sides reached that knockout stage.”

Trent Johnston, captain of Cup holders Ireland, said: “The switch to four-day cricket means there is much more scope for tactics.”

The groups are: Ireland, Scotland, United Arab Emirates and Namibia or Nepal, and Kenya, Bermuda, Canada and Holland.

The longer term plan is for a second division to be introduced with promotion and relegation.

The tournament in 2004 and 2005 involved four regional groups, Africa, Asia, Europe and Americas, of three teams each with the winners progressing to semifinals.—Reuters