LONDON (AP) - Bermuda will play the Cayman Islands in the ICC InterContinental Cup after the United States was tossed out of the tournament because an election dispute left the Americans unable to decide on a team.

The International Cricket Council today replaced the United States with the Cayman Islands in the Cup.

The action follows a March election at the US Amateur Cricket Association in which two factions claimed leadership.

"We are not able to wait any longer, as it is necessary to finalize details of the competing teams," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said.

Regional qualifying in the Intercontinental Cup is Aug. 27-Sept. 2 in Toronto. The winner of a series featuring Bermuda, Canada and the Cayman Islands advances to the semifinals and final beginning Oct. 23 in Namibia.

The tournament is for countries just below the level of the world's ten test-playing nations, led by Australia, England, India, Pakistan and South Africa.

In a letter to the USACA, Speed wrote: "The ICC has been extremely patient in seeking to enable the two parties to agree on a team. It is very disappointing for all concerned that you have not been able to agree on the final composition of the team."

The USACA says about 10,000 players _ primarily expatriates from south Asia and the Caribbean _ compete in weekend games in the United States, mostly in California, Florida and around East Coast cities.