Bermuda will have to travel to South Africa next April after the ICC decided to switch the World Cup Qualifiers from Dubai

Problems with the irrigation system in Dubai means that the pitches which were to have staged the tournament will not be ready in time.

There had been speculation that Bangladesh would be asked to step in, but several leading Associate countries, notably Ireland and Scotland, objected on the grounds that the conditions there at that time of year would put them at a distinct disadvantage.

The decision to switch the event was made by the ICC's financial and commercial affairs committee, of which Bermuda Cricket Board chief executive Neil Speight was recently made a member.

"The ICC board was told that the Emirates Cricket Board, the appointed host for the above event, had written to the ICC stating it would be unable to stage the tournament in April 2009 because not all venues required would be ready in time," a statement said.

"On that basis, the board accepted the recommendation of the finance and commercial affairs committee that, subject to agreement by Cricket South Africa, the event take place there, at the same time of the year as originally scheduled."

The Qualifiers are the most important competition for non Full-Member countries. The top four finishers will qualify for the 2011 World Cup, while the top six will be granted full ODI status for the next four years.

Both earn those involved millions of dollars from the ICC as well as opening up potentially lucrative media deals.