Bermuda's chances of qualifying for next year's Twenty20 World Cup in England have been made a little slimmer by the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) support for the International Cricket Council's (ICC) demand that English counties release all eligible players for the qualifiers in Belfast next month.

The ICC are determined that the World Cup is not devalued because the Associate countries competing in Belfast – Ireland, Scotland, Bermuda, Canada, the Netherlands, and Kenya – do not have their best players available.

While this means that David Hemp, who has already been included in Bermuda's squad for the tournament, can play, it also means that Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands will be able to call on a host of professional cricketers as well.

With only three spots available, and Scotland and Ireland the favourites to take the first two, Bermuda will face an even tougher test to qualify than they might otherwise have done.

Ireland, who pulled off one of the biggest upsets in cricket by knocking Pakistan out of last year's World Cup in the West Indies, can call on the likes of Eoin Morgan of Middlesex, Niall O'Brien of Northamptonshire, and skipper William Porterfield of Gloucestershire. They also have Australian Trent Johnston, who has played for New South Wales, at their disposal.

For Scotland the likes of Dougie Brown, recognised as one of the best one-day players in England in his hey-day, and former England and Durham cricketer Gavin Hamilton will return to the side, as will captain Ryan Watson, and Warwickshire's Navdeep Poonia.

The Netherlands too have Ryan ten Doeschate, who plys his trade for Essex, and in 2006 smashed Hemp's ICC Intercontinental Cup record making an unbeaten 259 in a year when he finished with an astonishing average of 228.66.

"The full commitment of the ECB to work with counties to support the ICC Board's mandatory release policy for Associate players is great news and very welcome," said ICC president David Morgan.

"It will help to ensure that when the top Associates have ODIs against Full Members or compete in next month's ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Belfast they have their top players available.

"In terms of the ICC WT20 Qualifier, that will make sure the best teams reach next year's event, rather than the teams with the most top players available on that weekend in August, something that will then have a knock-on effect of enhancing next year's event.

"And with all county-contracted players available for a ODI against Full Members it will make the Associate side that much more competitive, making for a worthwhile experience for that Full Member as well as a great career-enhancing one for all the Associate players, even those playing regular county cricket.

"After all, runs or wickets against a top ODI team will obviously stand any player in good stead moving forward."

The ICC WT20 Qualifier takes place in Belfast, Northern Ireland from August 2-5.

After that tournament, Bermuda play an ODI against the West Indies in Canada and then two days after that there is an ODI tri-series between Bermuda, Canada and the West Indies, again in Canada.

Bermuda will play two Twenty20 games at the National Sports Centre tomorrow (6 p.m.) and on Friday in preparation for the tournament in Belfast.

Police will provide the opposition tomorrow evening, while Bermuda will face a BCB Select XI on Friday evening.