The International Cricket Council (ICC) Executive Board has approved plans to increase the number of participants in the ICC World Twenty20 to 16 from 2014.
Following the first executive board meeting since the Woolf report recommended major changes to its corporate governance, some changes will be implemented.
The ICC European Centre of Excellence takes place between 12th and 17th April, 2012 at La Manga Club, Spain, where eighteen players, nine country coaches and six lead coaches will be in attendance from across nine European countries.
The ICC Europe Centre of Excellence is held annually in La Manga, Spain for talented youth age-group players of between 13-16 years of age. The countries of Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, the Netherlands and Scotland will all be represented.
Ireland beat Afghanistan by five wickets in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Dubai to confirm their place in Group B of the ICC World Twenty20 2012 alongside Australia and the West Indies.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan, who posted 152 for seven before Ireland chased down their target with seven balls to spare, will join reigning champions England and 2007 winners India in Group A.
Ireland booked their place in the ICC World Twenty20 2012 by dispatching Namibia by nine wickets in a one-sided preliminary final of the qualifying event in Dubai.
Batting first, Namibia could only reach 94 for six, as their superb form at the start of the tournament deserted them, and Ireland raced to victory in 10.1 overs.
Ireland are one step away from qualification for the ICC World Twenty20 2012 after they beat the Netherlands by seven wickets in their latest play-off in Dubai.
Paul Stirling hit 33 and Kevin O'Brien an unbeaten 30 as they successfully overhauled the Netherlands' score of 114 for seven with three overs and two balls remaining.
Ireland and the Netherlands kept their dream of qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 2012 in Sri Lanka alive by winning knock-out matches against Canada and Scotland respectively.
Ireland thrashed Canada by ten wickets while the Netherlands had to work hard to overcome Scotland by three wickets. There were also wins in other play-off matches for Oman and Hong Kong.
Afghanistan, Ireland and the Netherlands sealed their places in the play-offs with wins on day seven of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012 in the United Arab Emirates.
Afghanistan finished on top of Group A with a perfect record after beating Bermuda while there was also a win for Kenya over Uganda after Ireland and the Netherlands beat Oman and Hong Kong respectively.
Day six of action in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012 proved to be one devoid of upsets as there were wins in the afternoon session for Bermuda, Canada, Ireland and Namibia.
Namibia are still yet to be defeated and top Group B while Canada's win over Denmark kept them in the hunt in Group A.
Afghanistan and Namibia made it five wins out of five to remain at the top of their respective groups after the fifth day of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates.
There was also a first win so far for the United States of America, who beat Oman, while also victorious were Hong Kong, Netherlands, Nepal, Italy and Ireland.
Afghanistan have joined Namibia in winning their first four matches in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012 on day four of the competition.
They beat Nepal by 34 runs while there were also wins for Ireland, Kenya and Papua New Guinea.
Afghanistan and Namibia have maintained their perfect records after three games of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012 in the United Arab Emirates.
There were also wins on the morning of day three for Ireland over Italy and Canada over Hong Kong.
There were wins for Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland and Italy in the early games on day two of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifying tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
Ireland's crushing victory over Kenya was badly needed after an opening day loss to Namibia while Canada hung on to beat Papua New Guinea by just six runs.
There were wins for the Netherlands, Nepal, Afghanistan and Denmark in Group A and Italy, Scotland, Uganda and Namibia in Group B on the opening day of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates.
Namibia produced an upset to beat Ireland while there were comprehensive wins for the Netherlands, Italy, Nepal and Uganda.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) has recommended that the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 include 16 teams.
The committee met in Dubai and also discussed the ICC Governance Review, a proposed tour of Pakistan by Bangladesh and general issues relating to the game.
Cricket Ireland took the top prize of the Pepsi ICC Development Programme Awards 2011, claiming the Best Overall Cricket Development Programme, while Kanaksi Khimji of Oman Cricket was this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Service award.
It is Graeme Swann who takes this week's award. His bowling figures of three for 13 and two for 17 in the first two Twenty20 Internationals against Pakistan may not immediately stand out as award-winning contributions, but put it against the performances of the other five spinners used in the series by both teams and it suddenly looks a lot better. Messrs Ajmal, Afridi and co. have taken six wickets at a combined average of 32.33 from the two matches, with Swann's haul of five wickets at an average of six far superior.
Ireland moved up to ninth position in the ICC Twenty20 International world rankings by holding their nerve to secure a two-run win and resulting series whitewash in the third match against Kenya in Mombasa. John Mooney held his nerve in the final over of the innings, as Kenya, needing just seven to win, could only manage four.
Paul Stirling's all-round heroics gave Ireland a comfortable victory in the second Twenty20 International against Kenya in Mombasa. His innings of 65 not out from 52 balls followed up his earlier contribution of two for 21 with the ball to give the visitors the series with one match still to play.
Ireland eased past Kenya to record a comprehensive six-wicket victory in the first of three Twenty20 Internationals between the two sides in Mombasa.
George Dockrell was the star for the Irish, ending with figures of three for 15 from his four overs, after skipper William Porterfield had won the toss and asked the hosts to bat. He removed both Kenyan openers inside the first three overs after being entrusted with the new ball, before returning later in the innings to dismiss Shem Ngoche for three.
The ICC has announced the schedule and format of the Under-19 World Cup which will be held from the 11th to 26th August in Queensland, Australia.
The event, the ninth time the tournament has been held since its inception in 1988, will return to the country of its birth - Australia won the inaugural competition at home 24 years ago - and will be played across several different grounds on Queensland's east coast.
.jpg)
