USA look for Cricket World Cup boost

Monday, March 8, 2004

DUBAI (AFP): The United States hope that their stunning victory in the Six Nations Challenge here will boost their chances of hosting matches in the 2007 World Cup.

The Americans pulled off a five-wicket win against Scotland on Saturday, a win which has given them a place in the ICC Champions Trophy in England in September when they will play their first ever official one-day internationals.

Now they are confident that their presence in the September tournament, where they will face world champions Australia, will help their campaign to be one of the hosts of the 2007 showpiece, which has already been promised to the West Indies.

"We came here as underdogs and it is a tremendous feeling to return as the winners," said USA skipper Richard Staple.

"This victory will help spread the game particularly in North America. Hopefully it will also boost our chances to stage a few matches of the next World Cup."

As associate members of the ICC, the United States can apply to become one of the eight World Cup venues and a site has already been earmarked for a 40,000-capacity stadium in Lauderhill in Florida.

On Saturday, the USA edged past Scotland's 206 in the 48th over to improve their run-rate to a slender 0.027.

Former West Indies Test batsman Clayton Lambert top scored with 60 for the USA, who finished on 208-5, while Gavin Hamilton hit 60 for the Scots.

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