Ireland begin WCL defence against Kenya

Ireland will begin the defence of their World Cricket League Division 1 title against Kenya when the 10-day tournament begins in Netherlands on July 1.

The hosts start off against Scotland while Afghanistan, who recently qualified for the World Twenty20 in West Indies, open against Canada in the six-team event. For Ireland, Canada, Kenya and Netherlands the competition will allow them to continue planning for the 2011 World Cup after the four teams qualified through the previous WCL Division 1 event, in South Africa, last year.

It was at that tournament that Afghanistan narrowly missed out on reach the World Cup when then finished fifth, but made up for that disappointment with their Twenty20 success last month.

A total of 18 matches will be played in this year's tournament which will be staged in a single-league format with the top two sides qualifying for the final and the other four teams squaring-off in the play-off matches on the last day of the tournament.

For a full fixture list click here.