HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Visa problems have forced Suriname to pull out of the Under-19 World Cup qualifiers here, leaving three countries to vie for an automatic spot in next year’s finals to be staged in Bangladesh.

Because of the South American country’s withdrawal, hosts Bermuda, United States and Canada will now play each other twice here.

The winners will go straight to Bangladesh, while the second-placed team will get another chance to reach the World Cup at a global qualifier later this year.

The Bermuda Cricket Board said Suriname withdrew because it was unable to secure transit visas for its players to pass through the United States.

Bermuda took on the US in yesterday’s opener at Somerset and will then play Canada today at St David’s.

Bermuda cricket has generally been in the doldrums internationally since the island reached the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, but Under-19 captain Delray Rawlins, a 17-year-old slow bowler, said he expected big things from his team.

“It’s a big opportunity for the 14 of us to go to the world stage and put Bermuda back on the map,” Rawlins said.

“It’s brilliant to be playing at home, it’s going to help the boys a lot.

“Hopefully, it gives them that sense of what it really means to play for their country, and wear the badge on their chest. Hopefully, the crowd can come out and push behind the boys and get us to the World Cup.”

Next year’s Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh will he held between January 22 and February 13.

Qualifying tournament schedule:

July 5: United States v Bermuda, Somerset

July 6: Canada v Bermuda, St David’s

July 7: Canada v United States, Somerset

July 9: Bermuda v United States, St David’s

July 10: United States v Canada, Somerset

July 11: Bermuda v Canada, St David’s