How do members get affected by the ICC proposal?
The leading Associate members criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) plans for a smaller 50 over World Cup in the future. They describe the plan as a restriction towards their cricketing growth and also that the ICC is safeguarding the interests
of their full members. However, General Manager of ICC Dave Richardson has clarified that nowhere in the proposal was it mentioned that Associates could not participate in the World Cup.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Richardson-c85395 says, “They haven’t said they would exclude Associate; nowhere has anyone said, at this stage, the decision is to allow only full members to participate in the World Cup”, also adding, “How the ten members are to be determined has still to be
decided. It could be the full members only but it could be not”.
The outburst from the Associates came about when the ICC chief executive committee, which includes the ten full members and three associate teams of Ireland, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hong-Kong-c2919, suggested the reduction of the 50-over World Cup to 10 teams from 2015 onwards,
while increasing the twenty20 World Cup to 16 teams. Not to forget, the 2011 50 over World Cup in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 has 14 teams, which includes 4 Associate teams. The Associates criticism is led by boards of Kenya, Canada and Ireland, who have already qualified for the
2011 World Cup.
Cricket http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748 chief executive Chandra Gocool says, “The challenge will be [to see] how we break through,” also adding, “Especially worrisome is the lessened opportunity to play in the cricket world cup in 2015. This opportunity was a significant incentive
for us to continue to focus on our development. We are now faced with a glass ceiling.”
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the national board Warren Deutom believes that the 20 over format is good to spread the game and attract more markets, but it is surely not the way to improve the performance of a new cricket teams. Ireland
being one of the better cricketing teams than the other associate teams is famously known for their victory against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in the 2007 World Cup. Deutrom also hopes that the ICC would wait for the 2011 World Cup to finish, before taking this “radical step”.
Deutrom said, “To say there are only 10 countries worthy of ODI status files in the face of several indicators such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753 and Ireland”.
One should also throw light on previous facts such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747, and Zimbabwe on their way to the
semi-finals.
Kenyan chief executive of Cricket Board Tom Sears gave his comprehensive remarks saying that all formats of international cricket are important for the development of these associate countries.
Before making any decision regarding the matter, the ICC should consider the consequences of their actions would have on the cricketing future of these countries. And the mere fact that if Bangladesh and Zimbabwe can compete in the 50-over tournament and
have been given full member status by the ICC, why can’t these Associates can compete. Also, both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh test status is in doubt and their recent cricket records are not even up to the mark.
All concerns raised by the Associates are very valid and important to the cricket of their respected nations. Cricket is supposed to be a global game, and the ICC claims to be working to expand markets and attract more countries to the game. The inclusion
of these Associates or younger teams in the only 20 over format will not help even the ICC's cause. Cricket needs to be played at all formats for the game to develop. Meanwhile, the best advice for the Associates would be to wait for ICC executive committee’s
final verdict, and for the time being focus on improving their domestic test and 50 over cricket status.
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