No ICC final for Chelmsford

The ICC intercontinental Cup final between Ireland and Canada will now not be held at Chelmsford after discussions between the ICC and Essex stalled.

A fortnight ago the Irish Cricket Union announced that the County Ground would host the four-day match starting on May 21, but a spokesman for Essex today told Cricinfo: "When we were originally advised about the opportunity of staging the final we welcomed it. We have been in discussions with the ICC over the last couple of weeks but now understand they have decided to stage it elsewhere."

The ICC are now understood to be looking for an alternative venue.