Afridi stars as Ireland skittle Gloucestershire

Shahid Afridi led Ireland to a shock 47-run win over the five-times competition winners Gloucestershire in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy match at Bristol.

After losing the toss, the visitors posted 193 for 9 from their 50 overs under grey skies. Eoin Morgan (40), Afridi (36), Peter Gillespie (41 not out) and David Langford-Smith (34) were the main scorers; James Averis (4 for 17) and Martyn Ball (2 for 26) shared the bulk of the wickets.

Afridi then took three wickets for four runs from eight overs, six of them maidens, as Gloucestershire were skittled for 146. Steve Adshead was the top scorer with 24 as the hosts collapsed from 77 for 2. Kyle McCallan took 3 for 5.

It was only Ireland's third win over county opposition in the competition and their first away from home.

The International Cricket Council has confirmed England as host nation for the World Cup in 2019, 20 years after the country last hosted the event. An undertaking to opt out of the race to stage the 2015 tournament - to be held in Australia and New Zealand - left England as sole bidder to host the next one. The inaugural 2009 Twenty20 world championship is also set to take place in England.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will share the 2011 World Cup after beating a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand.