David Morgan, president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has urged the 12 teams currently in Johannesburg competing for 2011 World Cup qualification to follow the example of others such as Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe who used the tournament as a "stepping stone" for bigger and better things.

"This is probably the most important 19 days in any four-year cycle and it will determine whether our top Associates and Affiliate Members qualify for the ICC World Cup and where they stand in the global scheme of things," the ICC chief explained.

"This is the culmination of a long pathway giving each of our 94 Associate and Affiliate Members the chance to take on the very best in the world at the highest level."

In addition to 2011 World Cup qualification, teams will also be vying for lucrative ICC funding as well as Intercontinental Cup qualification and ODI status until 2013.

"Apart from the glory of competing in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the top four teams at this qualifying tournament (formerly the ICC Trophy) will also benefit from significant increases in funding through the ICC High Performance Programme which will put those sides in the position to prepare effectively for the big event," Morgan continued.

"While finishing in the top four is the main aim of all teams taking part in the qualifier, the top six will win ODI status for the next four years at least and also will gain automatic qualification for the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10 which starts in May.

"This is all part of the ICC's commitment to grow the game and narrow the gap between the top Associate teams and the very best sides in the world."

Since the inception of World Cup qualifiers in England in 1979, Associate teams have gone on to enjoy great success on the world stage.

During the previous World Cup, reigning Intercontinental Cup champions Ireland produced shock wins over ICC Full Members Pakistan and Bangladesh.

ICC Associates also received a glowing endorsement at the 2003 World Cup here in South Africa when Kenya reached the semi-finals.

It is success stories such as these that Morgan hopes to see continued in years to come.

"When I look back on the history of this tournament, I recall some great moments," he added. "It has been a stepping stone for some teams towards full membership of the ICC such as Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh."

Bermuda qualified for a maiden World Cup in Ireland in 2005 and skipper, Irving Romaine, hopes lightning will strike twice.

"It's going to be a hard tournament, but if we can play to the best of our abilities and remain consistent we should qualify," he reasoned.