Canada, Kenya and the Netherlands have joined Ireland in qualifying for the 2011 World Cup after the final round of Super Eight matches were concluded in . Scotland and Afghanistan earned themselves ODI status for the next four years.

Super Eight pace-setters Canada were handed a five-wicket defeat at the hands of the United Arab Emirates which allowed Ireland the chance to go back to the top of the table in the World Cup Qualifier in South Africa.

Ireland geared up for the Super 8 stage of World Cup qualifying today with a convincing victory over Canada. A six-wicket win over the Canadians at Benoni extended William Porterfield's side's winning run to four matches in the South Africa-based competition.

With John Davison leading the way, Canada maintained its 100 per cent record in Group A of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in LC de Villiers Oval, Pretoria, today with a comprehensive victory over Namibia.

Oman were up against it in their World Cup qualifying match against Canada, falling to one for four after a Sunil Dhaniram century guided Canada to a score of 247 all out in Pretoria.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the 12-team qualifying event for the 2011 World Cup will be held from April 1st to 19th at nine venues in South Africa. The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier will be played out over 54 matches with the final taking place at Centurion Park.

Canada are set to play their first major overseas series against a Full Member country when they tour Zimbabwe in March. The matches form part of their preparations for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in April. The games, which are likely to all be played in Harare, will take place between March 18 and 26

Canada kicked off their tri-series campaign in style with a 25-run victory over Bermuda in the opening match at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club in King City, Ontario on Monday. All-rounder Manoj David scored a well-paced 48 to power Canada to 260-7 after sent in to bat. In reply, Bermuda were restricted to 235-8.

International cricket will return to Toronto next month when Pakistan, the West Indies, Bangladesh and hosts Canada play in a four-day Twenty20 competition. A Pakistan Cricket Board official said the organisers of the tournament have got permission from the ICC and Pakistan will submit a provisional squad of 20 in the next three days for the August 14-17 quadrangular event.