Ireland captain William Porterfield has turned the heat up on the International Cricket Council, demanding answers as to why they want to cut the World Cup to 10 teams.
The Irish are viewed by pundits as the perfect example as to why the ICC should work harder to grow the game, given how much potential they’ve showed at the 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cups.
However, the ICC is set to trim the 2019 event to 10 teams.
Porterfield has voiced the side’s concerns over the past month, but rarely been as forthright as he was after their spirited campaign ended with a seven-wicket loss to Pakistan on Sunday.
“I’d love to think it’s not our last World Cup game,” he said.
“Everyone wants to know what their vision for the game is.
“It’ll be interesting to see what their vision is and what their thoughts are behind the 10-team competition and what value there is for other teams playing outside of the top 10.
“I’m sure they’re hoping everything blows over the next few weeks and they don’t hear much from us.
“Then it’s just as easy to brush it under the carpet.
“But I think something has to be done if they want to grow the game.”
Porterfield, who scored a classy century in Adelaide, went so far as to question the sport’s future in Ireland if the path to the World Cup was made harder.
“What’s the point really in us keeping going? I think it’s the wrong move,” he said.
“A lot of people have spoken out that it is the wrong move … a lot of influential people have said that, so I don’t think the ICC can just ignore that.”
ICC boss David Richardson has hinted there may be a rethink, saying he’s “learnt never to say never”.
But Porterfield suggested Richardson and his colleagues were yet to discuss the issue with anyone from Ireland.
“Not really. I think they’ve been pretty quiet on the actual subject,” he said.
Ireland finished level on points with West Indies, but failed to progress to the knockout phase due to an inferior net run-rate.
“It’s not something we’re very bitter about,” Porterfield said.
“It’s just disappointing when you lose out on net run-rate for the sheer fact that you’ve finished level on points with someone else.
“We have to be divided or separated some way.”
Ireland started their tournament with a four-wicket win over the West Indies.
Conor
Guest
Disgusting the way the ICC treats developing nations. Ireland is the best example... Constantly improving at the WC, good administration and huge increase in registered players (2x to 50 000 in four years) and what does the ICC do? It tells them to get stuffed! Madness! This argument that there are one sided games at the WC... Of course there are! There are one sided games at the FIFA WC too, I dont hear Australia complaining about being in the FIFA WC even when we re getting flogged. No, football grows because the country notices this brilliant event and wants to be a part of it. This is the critical point; you need to create a profile and status to the sport and you do this with a large global event - such as the WC. You need to give the countries not already into cricket a reason to follow the game and put resources into its development. ALL sports except cricket do this - football is obviously the best example. Porterfield is correct - without the WC why is Ireland playing? To one day play the meaningless bilateral ODIs that we waste time on all year? NO! The goal needs importance and context. The ICC are inept and incompetent. Cricket is currently growing in spite of the ICC not because of it. We need more forward thinkers that care about the growth of the game and we need to eliminate the administrators who constantly sell the soul and future of our great sport for yet another massive Indian TV rights deal. Give me more registered players in associate nations over TV deals any day. The rejection of the Olympic application is another example of this destructive thinking (England against it due to revenue concerns) If your not expanding your dying in world sport, cricket seems determined to commit suicide. At least we ll have the cash for a nice wake.
Matt
Roar Rookie
How could anyone not enjoy Shapoor Zadran and Hamid Hassan steaming in to bowl? It was brilliant to watch them go all out, not just to make up the numbers but to attack whomever was at the other end.
Matt
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure that you can say that - if a match is close enough to be decided by a dubious call then it's not really conclusive, you could equally say if the catch was overturned that Zim were lucky. You are probably right about Zim troubling more teams, but I think by overall health of the squads I would plump for Ireland. Zim has had some hot form players to pull their innings out the fire and I think Taylor and Williams papered over some cracks. On the other hand, Ireland were playing without their two best bowlers (one injured, one flirting with England). As for test status, I think the idea of status should be rid altogether. If teams want to play for 5 days they should be allowed. What do the ICC fear? Some warped statistics?
Dog's Breakfast
Guest
All the Associate teams deserve answers from the ICC on this. From what I've seen they've improved out of sight since the last World Cup. And now the ICC wants to quash their one chance to show their skills? Madness. I've had far more enjoyment out of watching these teams try their guts out to compete on the world stage than I have watching a shambolic England.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Not sure about that.... I rate Zimbabwe better than Ireland - they were a lot more competitive in each match than Ireland were and to be honest should've beaten Ireland if it wasn't for a dubious call. That said, I agree Ireland deserve test status and should be playing the stronger nations more regularly.
Matt
Roar Rookie
The thing is, if the Pak vs WI game result went the other way (entirely likely with those two teams) then Ireland shoot into the QFs. They're easily the best team not playing in the QFs, and the best team not playing tests too!
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
It is stupid to be on one hand trying to grow the game and then on the other limiting the amount of cricket played on he big stage by those you are trying to expand to.
Prosenjit majumdar
Guest
Probably he's angrier because his team was provided something for the last match that they did not at all want.