Visa problems force Suriname out of World Cup qualifiers

HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC — Visa problems have forced Suriname to pull out of Under-19 World Cup qualifiers here, leaving three countries to vie for an automatic spot in next year’s finals to be staged in Bangladesh.

Because of the South America country’s withdrawal hosts Bermuda, United States and Canada will now play each other twice here. The winners will go straight to Bangladesh, while the second-placed team will get another chance to reach the World Cup at a global qualifier later this year.

The Bermuda Cricket Board said Suriname withdrew because it was unable to secure transit visas for its players to pass through the United States.

Bermuda took on the US in yesterday’s opener at Somerset and will play Canada today at St David’s.

Bermuda cricket has generally been in the doldrums internationally since the island reached the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, but Under-19 captain Delray Rawlins, a 17-year-old slow bowler, said he expected big things from his team.