ICC Americas Championship


The ICC Americas Championship is a one-day cricket tournament organised by ICC Americas for non-Test national cricket teams in the Americas affiliated with the International Cricket Council. As well as providing the opportunity for national teams to play international matches against teams of a similar standard, it also provides qualification into the ICC World Cricket League.
There are currently four divisions taking place biannually with promotion and relegation taking place between divisions. In 2010 Division One, for the first time, a Twenty20 tournament took place following the traditional 50 over competition.

History

The ICC Americas Championship first took place in 2000 between the five associate teams in the region. 2006 saw the championship evolve into a league system with three divisions allowing most of the affiliate nations in the region to participate. This coincided with the introduction of the World Cricket League, an ICC initiative to give all cricket playing nations a chance to qualify for the Cricket World Cup. In 2010, a fourth division was added meaning that all members in the region were able to take part in the league system.
Typically, the team finishing first is promoted and the lowest place team is relegated to the division below where possible. The only occasion this did not happen was in 2008 when Turks and Caicos Islands retained their Division Two spot despite finishing last.

Tournaments

2000

The 2000 tournament was held in Ontario, Canada, at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club and G Ross Lord Park. Then affiliate member the Cayman Islands gained a surprise victory over Argentina, and the tournament itself went down to the final day. Canada and Bermuda were level on six points each going into their final game. Bermuda batted first and were dismissed for 186, with Dennis Archer top scoring with 59, with John Davison and Nicholas Ifill taking three wickets each for the home team. When Canada batted, they lost their first two wickets quickly, but Nicholas Ifill and Joseph Harris putting on a 122 run partnership, before Ifill and Paul Prashad steered them home for the seven wicket win.
TeamPlayedWonLostTiedNRPoints
440008
431006
422004
413002
404000

2002

The 2002 tournament was held in Argentina and saw the debut of the Bahamas. The home side were disappointed to go without a win, again losing to the affiliate member in the tournament. The USA won the tournament after rain washed out the final day, ending Canada's hopes of winning the tournament for the second time in a row.
TeamPlayedWonLostTiedNRPointsNRR
5400191.24
5310170.42
5310171.48
513013-0.29
513013-1.88
504011-0.77

2004

The 2004 tournament was held in Bermuda, and featured the same teams as in the 2002 tournament. It was won for the second time by Canada, who went unbeaten throughout the tournament.
TeamPlayedWonLostTiedNRPointsNRR
55000202.105
54100161.358
53200120.944
523008-0.198
514004-2.007
505000-2.233

2006

The 2006 tournament was played over three divisions, a format that is intended to continue in future with promotion and relegation between the divisions.

Division Three

The 2006 Division Three tournament was held in Suriname and saw the official ICC debuts of Brazil and Chile. The tournament was won by Suriname who gained promotion to Division Two.
TeamPlayedWonLostTiedNRPointsNRR
33000122.890
321008-0.222
3120040.030
303000-1.944

Division Two

The 2006 Division Two tournament was held in and won by Argentina after they beat the Bahamas in what was the deciding group games.
TeamPlayedWonLostTiedNRPointsNRR
44000161.220
43100122.106
422008-0.530
410034-0.681
404000-1.825

Division One

The 2006 Division One tournament was held in Canada. The hosts started poorly, losing to Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, and were unable to repeat their 2004 performance, finishing third. The tournament was won by Bermuda for the first time. The tournament also functioned as qualifying for the World Cricket League for Argentina and the Cayman Islands. The Caymans finished fourth, giving them a spot in Division Three in 2007, and Argentina a spot in Division Five in 2008.
TeamPlayedWonLostTiedNRPointsNRR
43001141.420
42101100.485
4220081.056
422008-0.257
404000-2.469

2008

Division Three

The Division Three tournament was held in Argentina from 11 to 16 February and was the debut competition for Peru. Turks and Caicos Islands were the champions and were promoted to Division Two.
TeamPlayedWonLostTiedNRPointsNRR
43100121.424
43100120.410
4220080.720
413004-0.782
413004-1.436

Division Two

The Division Two tournament was held from 3–5 April and was won narrowly by the hosts, Suriname. Three of the four teams finished on 8 points but Suriname were promoted due to having the highest net run rate. Although newly promoted Turks and Caicos Islands finished in last place they remained in the division for the 2010 competition.
TeamPlayedWonLostTiedNRPointsNRR
3210081.513
3210081.023
321008-0.055
303000-2.734

Division One

The Division One tournament was held in Florida from 25 to 30 November and saw the hosts, USA winning fairly comfortably. As a result, they now equaled Canada in winning the ICC Americas Championship twice. Suriname lost all their games and so were relegated back to Division Two for the 2010 competition.
TeamPlayedWonLostTiedNRPointsNRR
55000202.822
53101141.785
53101141.714
523008-0.719
514004-1.253
505000-3.698

Peru debuted in Division Three. Suriname gained a place in Division One, but was relegated later to Division Two, and Turks and Caicos Islands gained a place in Division Two, but was relegated later to Division Three.