The decision by ICC to play only ten teams in 2015 World Cup is rather a surprising one. Though I was never in favor of playing too many associates and rendering half of the matches inconsequential, it was quite astonishing to see ICC already finalizing the ten teams that will play the next world cup. If we can have a qualifier for 2019 WC, why can’t it be done for 2015?
Ireland is one team that will feel most undone by this verdict. They did nothing wrong in this world cup or for that matter in last four years and are placed above Zimbabwe in the present ranking system. Also, 2015 is still far away and Ireland has every chance to go one step further and consistently beat teams like Bangladesh and West Indies. Instead this gross injustice will dishearten many upcoming players like Dockrell, who may follow Morgan’s footsteps and join England team, which is always on a lookout for foreign players.
Ireland may also feel hurt due to special treatment handed to Bangladesh. Bangladesh has done nothing in last ten years to deserve a test status or a status of major ODI nation. Their good performances have been few and far between and there is no way it should get a direct qualification in a World Cup. They have been backed by ICC (or BCCI!) to every possible extent and I really believe if Ireland or Netherlands were given such a support, they would have turned out to be better teams than Bangladesh. It seems that backing by BCCI is the way to go in modern day cricket!
It would be a shame if cricket goes downhill in Ireland, who has been one of the most consistent associates in the last few years. To state the obvious (but seems beyond ICC’s understanding), the only way to continue their development is to play more high quality matches. ICC should make sure that Ireland play at least 10 ODIs every year against test-playing nations. The future tour program will not be adversely affected by this as any team touring England can easily play three ODIs against Ireland. But, I guess this message can never get across ICC, which can easily go out of the way to fit in IPL and Champions League. But then ICC’s motto has always been – “Why care about the development of game as long as extra money can be made”. Unfortunately, it will remain the same forever.
probably playing 10 nations was a correct decision but direct entry to all test playing nations was not…
I agree. A quailifying tournament for last five teams amongst 12 nations would have been interesting. It could have threatened the entry of Bangladesh and even West Indies. This might have propelled West Indies to improve its standards in next four years.