DUBAI, Oct 5: Just two months after final places for 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup were decided at ICC Trophy in Ireland, road to 2011 tournament has begun. East Asia-Pacific Cricket Cup in Vanuatu saw six teams — Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Japan, Indonesia and Cook Islands — embarking on dream of qualification and after exciting matches it was Japan and Cook Islands that won through.

Both sides now go forward to next round of regional qualification — a tri-series against Fiji in mid-2006 - with winner joining Division 3 of ICC World Cricket League, which provides a clear path to 2011 event.

Tournament in Vanuatu, first international cricket event staged there, was a triumph for Japan, which marked its recent promotion from ICC Affiliate to Associate member status by winning.

The progress made by all teams was vindication of ICC’s EAP State/Province Partnership Program with states from Australia and provinces from New Zealand provided coaching resources.

Commenting on East Asia-Pacific Cricket Cup, ICC Global Development Manager Matthew Kennedy said: “We are delighted with the success of tournament, which is part of a new structure for international cricket.

“It provides a qualifying pathway to ICC Cricket World Cup for all 86 of ICC’s Associate and Affiliate members.”

Meanwhile, players from Bermuda, Canada, Holland, Ireland, Kenya and Scotland are set to feel benefit of 11-week winter training camp in South Africa as they step up preparations for 2007 World Cup.

The Camp, part of International Cricket Council’s (ICC) High Performance Program (HPP) for five Associate countries that qualified for the Caribbean, will take place between Oct 10 and Dec 21 at University of Pretoria’s high performance centre.

Under a coaching team led by Scotland coach Andy Moles, attendees will receive structured program of technical, tactical, physical and mental training as build-up to the tournament continues.

ICC’s High Performance Manager, Richard Done said: “As each of these countries have similar needs in preparing for ICC Cricket World Cup it makes perfect sense to share coaching and training resources in this way.

“The winter camp will be staffed by coaches with a wide experience of working with Associate member countries so they will be well aware of what is required to achieve success with these players.”–Agencies