Pneumonia forces Bermuda coach out of ICC tournament

Hamilton (Bermuda), Oct 9 (IANS/CMC) Bermuda cricket coach Arnold Manders has been forced to relinquish his duties for the ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, later this month after suffering from pneumonia.

According to the Royal Gazette newspaper, Manders, 55, became ill in April but this latest relapse means that he has not been allowed to travel on medical advice, reports CMC.

Allan Douglas has been named as Manders' replacement for the Oct 23-30 tournament featuring six countries.

The Bermuda squad has already been weakened by unavailability of their most experienced player, former captain David Hemp, who now lives in Australia.

The Bermuda team is set to leave for Malaysia Wednesday.

"I am on a 12-day course of antibiotics that takes me past the date we leave," said Manders, who was admitted to hospital last week when the full extent of his illness was revealed via X-ray.

"The doctors have said that my immune system would be down and advised me not to travel. Initially, I told the Bermuda Cricket Board that I would still be available but after consultation I had to follow doctor's instructions."

Bermuda, Nepal, Singapore, Uganda, US and hosts Malaysia will compete in the eight-day tournament at three grounds - Kinrara, Bayeumas and Selangor Turf Club - with the tournament final to be played at Kinrara Oct 30.

The two finalists will gain promotion to Division Two, which will be played in Namibia from Jan 17 to 24, 2015.

That tournament is the final step in the qualification pathway to the ICC's four-day, first-class competition for Associate and Affiliate members, the ICC Intercontinental Cup, as well as the 50-over World Cricket League Championship.

The ICC recently switched the tournament to Malaysia from Uganda because of security and health fears in the African country.

--IANS/CMC

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