Suriname withdraws from ICC World Cricket League Division 5 following ICC player eligibility investigation

Suriname qualified for the tournament by virtue of winning the ICC WCL Division 6, held in England in September 2015. 

The ICC acted on information brought to its attention following this tournament and its investigation uncovered failures in the SCB’s processes relating to player residency documentation for the purposes of compliance with the ICC’s Player Eligibility Regulations.

Disciplinary charges were initiated against the SCB under the Player Eligibility Regulations in respect of a number of players who represented Suriname at the WCL Division 6.  The SCB cooperated fully with the ICC’s investigations and carried out a thorough internal review.

The SCB has now accepted that it failed in its duty to ensure the provision of accurate residency information to the ICC in respect of a number of players. Further, the SCB has expressed its sincere apologies for these failures to all the participating teams at the ICC WCL Division 6, as well as to the wider cricketing community.

In light of the above, the SCB has agreed that:

·       Suriname will withdraw from the ICC WCL Division 5 and be relegated to WCL Americas Division 1;

·       It will forfeit the US$25,000 competition grant received by all ICC Members who compete in the ICC WCL Division 5; and

·       It will submit to a full ICC in-country inspection, including in respect of its processes, including but not limited to those relating to residency documentation and player eligibility, at an appropriate time in the future.

Prior to participating in any ICC tournaments in the future, the SCB will be required to satisfy the ICC that it has put in place robust processes for maintaining accurate residency records and ensuring the compliance of all Suriname teams with the Player Eligibility Regulations, in addition to any further requirements that may be specified by the ICC following the full in-country inspection.

The ICC has decided that, in light of the above, Vanuatu will be invited to replace Suriname in the ICC WCL Division 5. Vanuatu lost to Suriname in the semi-finals of the ICC WCL Division 6 and subsequently won its play-off match against Norway to finish in third place.