Every nation represented in the 2015 ICC World Cup is under enormous pressure to perform, but the associate members have more to lose than anyone else.
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa go into this World Cup as favourites to lift the trophy at the MCG on March 29.
Equally, there are plenty of other nations who have no hope of escaping their pool. No, that’s not where England comes in. I’m talking about the four associate members at this World Cup: Ireland, Scotland, Afghanistan and the UAE.
The next World Cup is being trimmed from 14 teams to 10, and only the top eight ranked teams are guaranteed a spot in 2019. With 10 full member nations (read Test playing nations) each playing each other fairly regularly prior to the qualification cut-off in 2017, it’s likely that the next World Cup will consist entirely of full member nations.
Afghanistan and Ireland (currently 11th and 12th in the ICC ODI world rankings) will potentially not have enough ODI matches to launch a challenge on eighth place and a guaranteed spot in the tournament (currently the West Indies are eighth, with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in ninth and tenth).
Conceivably, this could be the last World Cup in which we see associate members participate.
There is no doubt the format and duration of the World Cup needs some work. The group stages do seem to drag, and there are plenty who say that the group stages of the World Cup are tedious and worthless, including Roar Expert columnist Alec Swann.
But I wonder if Ireland think the World Cup group stages are pointless.
I doubt any Irish cricket fan (or English for that matter) will ever forget the events of Bangalore on March 2, 2011, where Ireland humbled their more illustrious neighbours off the back of an extraordinary 63-ball 113 from Kevin O’Brien.
By removing the opportunity for associate members to play in World Cups, we remove the likelihood of us witnessing these scenes ever again.
Not playing in World Cups wouldn’t be such a huge a problem if the associate members were given the chance to play full member nations on a regular basis. ICC chief executive David Richardson admitted that it is difficult to guarantee Ireland and Afghanistan enough matches to boost their ranking points to challenge the top eight.
If Ireland don’t make the next World Cup, where is the incentive for young players coming through the Irish system to want to play for their country? Those with enough talent will simply jump ship and try to make their way to the pinnacle of the sport through the England team.
Eoin Morgan, captaining England in a World Cup, is arguably a better role model for young Irish cricketers than players in a team that never gets exposed to the world’s best.
Ireland’s Ed Joyce launched an attack on the ICC’s policy, saying “We seem to be the only sport that has a World Cup that is contracting rather than expanding.” Joyce, who also earned 17 ODI caps for England, added, “Opportunities are obviously dwindling for sides outside the elite and that’s obviously not ideal for trying to grab the game at home. There is an appetite, but we need an opportunity.”
It’s hard to argue with him – making it harder for teams like Ireland to qualify for the World Cup is not the way to grow the sport.
The ICC’s attitude to anyone who isn’t a Test playing nation is terrible. When teams break into the lower echelons of the world game, their progress invariably stalls and they fall back into obscurity – namely The Netherlands, Namibia and Kenya. These teams played in World Cups, impressed, and disappeared without so much as another appearance against the full members.
The lack of support for these nations to join the top teams in dining at the top table is appalling. And I’m not talking about funding. Games are the only way for these countries to develop, regular games as part of triangular tournaments against full members.
Every time a team comes to England, they should play Ireland and/or The Netherlands too. Every time a team goes to South Africa, play Namibia, Kenya or Zimbabwe. Visiting Pakistan in the Emirates? Play the UAE and Afghanistan too. The ICC could, and perhaps should, enforce this to stop the game dying in these areas.
So where does the Rugby League World Cup come into this?
The 2013 Rugby League World Cup delivered a viable, entertaining competition between 14 nations, all consisting of vastly different talent and skill levels. Not only that, but non-traditional league-playing countries were involved and added to what was an exciting competition that surpassed many people’s expectations.
It should not stretch the ICC to come up with a tournament format that enables the minnows to compete and develop within a broader framework that produces exciting matches in a manageable timeframe.
Perhaps cricket should look to rugby league for answers? Or perhaps we should enjoy the associate members and their fans before they disappear forever.
Tristan
Guest
Here we go - 2 home and two away: http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/736467.html
Simon Smale
Roar Guru
Ye that's fair enough Bush, and the bottom three ranked Test nations really seem to be taking it not too seriously at the moment... Which is why I think Ireland and Afghanistan would make such awesome inclusions to that format. That's interesting Tristan, anda fair bit better than a one off Test. At least the more games the more likely the better team will actually win.
Simon Smale
Roar Guru
So do I Don, they have provided us with plenty of excellent moments throughout the years too, and every so often you get an innings or performance with the ball that really gets people talking. I agree with you to an extent, in that it's only the non-cricket fans who get bored, but the problem is with cricket fans like Alec Swann and a number of Aussie commentators - including those on ABC's Offsiders last Sunday who also claim boredom with the pool stages and the inclusion of the minnows... I personally don't care if the World Cup lasts 40 days or 400 days - the more cricket the better as far as I'm concerned - however I'm aware that I'm not speaking for the masses when I say that!
Don Freo
Guest
I like watching the minnows. Every now and then you see someone who can really play. I love that. There's no way they don't like it. Playing against the top echelon and seeing how close they are. A bit of enjoyment amidst the high pressure for the big boys. The only problem is for non-cricket fans who get bored. No problem; they won't be there and they won't turn on. This will be another raging success...at least, in Australia.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I actually think it's a must better system than just awarding Test status for no reason a la Bangladesh. If Ireland wins the tournament and can beat Bangladesh in a one off Test in Bangladesh (or Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe) then they deserve the status - they're likely to be no worse than either of those teams in the medium term. The problem with Test cricket right now is that the gab between the best and the rest seems to be growing, with only New Zealand bucking the trend. Right now it is pretty much a joke to describe the West Indies and Zimbabwe (I don't follow Bangladesh closely enough, but maybe them too?) as worthy of Test Status.
paty305
Guest
The Big 3 said that before they were given their position of power. They said they would cancel the Test World Cup and replace it with a multi tiered system. However since the reform they have only canceled the TWC not even bothering to talk with the associates about possible sollutions. The multi tiered system being touted by the Big 3 has been dropped off the table completely over the last year.
Tristan
Guest
From memory, the winner of the Intercontinental Cup (FC competition among the top 6 associate nations) will have the opportunity to play the tenth ranked test team in a home and away series (can't remember if it's 2 home and 2 away, or 1 and 1). If they win, they get Test status. Don't think it's clear what happens if a draw results, or what happens to the Full Member if they lose.
Simon Smale
Roar Guru
I thought it was perhaps something like that Bush... You're right, it's a bit of a sink or swim system but I guess it does provide some sort of legitimacy to the process rather than "yes you're in" which seemed to have happened before. It at least provides an opportunity for the Associate Members to visually prove they are good enough. A one off Test is a bit rough though...
The Bush
Roar Guru
The ICC has no interest in growing the game and in some ways, I can't blame them. The sub-continent is in some ways an untapped resource (economically). India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and you can through in Afghanistan and Nepal (where cricket is popular and will grow no matter what effort the ICC makes) represent over 1.5 billion fans and have economies that are only going to grow at potentially massive rates this century. Cricket could fail to develop a single new fan in the next 20 yeras and it's financial clout will will grow and dwarf most sports bar football just on the back of an ever expanding and richer middle class in that region of the world...
The Bush
Roar Guru
My understanding is that the winner of the Associates Tournament will play the lowest ranked Test side in a one-off Test and if they're successful they will be awarded Test status. Now I dunno if that is a great system, but it is at least a pathway.
Rocco75
Guest
Matth that is an indictment on the game of cricket and the powers that run the game (ICC) that it rigs the draw so that the biggest nation India will play enough games to make it financially rewarding. It's a farce.
Simon Smale
Roar Guru
Sorry Brian, I meant that India might not qualify for the quarter finals - as opposed to the entire tournament. As pointed out by Matt below, the tournament in 2007 in the West Indies lost money due to India not making it out the group stages. I agree, Tims idea makes sense and opens up the competition to more shocks and surprises, but I don't think India want that... Having said all that it will be interesting to see if India qualify this year and what effect that will have.
paty305
Guest
But they still only play one match against them. Ireland and the like need a more consistent schedule and not just a slap dash approach from the full members. India, England and Australia haven't even spoken to Ireland about a pathway to test cricket, let alone establish one, even though that's what they said they would do 18 months ago. The big three have a tremendous arrogance to try and push other countries out of the game while they swim in their pools of money. And the worst thing is that the likes of New Zealand and South Africa are now sitting in their back pocket because they might get handout if they do what they're told.
The Magic Man
Roar Rookie
Despite the restructuring of the ICC as a strengthening of agreements between India, England and Cricket Australia, the underlying force of the BCCI is what still runs world cricket with the pull of Yoda. Awarding a deserved Ireland full Test member status doesn't assist a selfish ECB and certainly adds a potential "anti vote" against the BCCI if ever it is required that all member nations are required a vote on certain issues. The BCCI for years had the sh!ts with perceived "colonial" cricket administrative rule... In the here & now, India will forever be reluctant to put at risk their current iron clad influence of the game. Ireland will never be given an opportunity while they simply knock on the door. They need to bash it down... and I can't see how that can ever happen.
Brian
Guest
Unfortunately Australian conditions are not very condusive to any upsets. The grounds are big which helps those sides more professional and secondly there's some pace in the pitch. If there is one thing that separates a good club or associate cricketer from a top notch international batsman its the ability to play against sheer pace.
Brian
Guest
With 16 teams how could India not qualify? Brazil & Germany make every FIFA World Cup. I like Tim's idea. The frustrating thing is there are about 10 ideas that a 12 year old could come up with that would be better then what we have.
Brian
Guest
Bangladesh were admitted for purely political reasons. The Asian powers calculated that 4/10 is bigger then 3/9. When they were admitted Kenya were miles ahead of Bangladesh as proven by their beating the WI in 1996 and making the semi-final in 2003. Bangladesh with the millions thrown at them are only now at approximate level of Ireland. This is not to say that Bangladesh should not be developed but all associates should be developed. Its all part of the wider problem that no one is there to look after Cricket in a global context. As well as developing associates an honest look would reveal cricket going backwards in a relative sense in every country outside Central Asia and Australia where we are having a BBL sugar hit. In fairness to the ICC the T20 World Cup is being expanded to 16 but at the same time being pushed out to be every 4 years.
Simon Smale
Roar Guru
True Perry, over 80 minutes it's easier to admire the plucky underdog in their endeavours, as opposed to the slow motion car crash that international cricket mismatches can become. Although even amongst regular Full Member sides we can have mismatches. I'm still disappointed by Australia's showing against Sri Lanka a few years ago at the Gabba... That was over so quickly the floodlights barely had time to come on! Ireland in 2011 was so epically disappointing for England cricket fans, I'm slightly worried that Scotland's impressive form in the warm up matches will see a shock result in our game! We'll never hear the end of it if England lose to Scotland!
Tristan
Guest
Bangladesh always had more political clout than Ireland does now as well. Ireland currently has a three-day provincial competition (which would become a first class competition if Ireland were to get Test status), which is something Bangladesh didn't have until after gaining Test status.
Simon Smale
Roar Guru
Too right Craig. The stewards of cricket have been shooting themselves in the foot for a long long time now, even going back to the first ever international match (USA v Canada in 1844) not being an "official Test" presumably because it did not include England. There is an exclusive, members only club in international cricket, and woe be on anyone who tries to gain entry.