Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
You might be thinking “sad time? What do you mean?”
I’ll explain, without referring to the obvious disappointment of most matches not even being televised.
10 hopefuls (the number of teams in the World Cup) are competing for two spots in the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England, and the competitiveness of the cricket has been heartening to see. Some of the performances, including Scotland’s amazing run, PNG’s challenge v West Indies and Zimbabwe’s incredible comeback win v Afghanistan, has been superb.
However, the feeling I have around these matches is significant disappointment. How can these teams, who obviously have talent, be expected to grow? How can cricket become a truly global sport with the pathetic mindset the ICC has, limiting the World Cup to 10 teams? What these World Cup Qualifiers tell us is that the ICC has no interest in truly globalising our great game.
An argument I hear: “But these teams are not competitive in World Cups, and makes for too many one-sided games”.
Rubbish.
For years, fans have been crying for more opportunities for these teams to gain greater exposure against higher ranked sides in the four year window between World Cups. Yes, this might mean an opportunity or two for associate nations instead of an India v Australia ODI series, for example, which we see plenty of. How on earth could one expect teams to compete against big teams, when the only time they play them is in World Cups? What is the solution? Enabling them to do better, or eliminating them altogether? The ICC has chosen the latter, and it’s a real shame.
You tell me what is better for cricket – an India v Australia ODI series that fans are desensitized to because we see it so damn often, or seeing these associate nations play against their heroes? Isn’t it better if the likes of Nepal, Hong Kong and Scotland play some ODIs against top ranked nations, at the expense of more meaningless, frequent ODI series? What about the rise of Afghanistan? There is a great chance we won’t even see Afghanistan at the World Cup, as they have suffered as a result of key absentees (Shahzad and Stanikzai) in this tournament, which is a huge shame. Could you imagine kids watching their national team in a big series for them? More kids will want to achieve what their heroes are, and that’s how you grow the game globally. Encourage participation, and give an opportunity for these nations to develop!
Sure, the “financial” argument always comes in, based on the amount of revenue a series brings in. However, this is short term thinking. This is not thinking that will help expand our game. Sometimes, revenue needs to be put to the side for a second to think about the future of our sport. Cricket is not thinking long term enough, and as a result, our associate nations are not growing. They are not getting the exposure and experience they need to improve, and they are being punished for somehow not competing with the established nations in a World Cup setting. “You guys are giving us no value, so only two spots available for you”, say the ICC. “And hey, you’ll have to compete with full member nations such as the West Indies to even try get a spot in the showpiece event.”
What I hope to see from the 2019 World Cup is the ICC coming to its senses, realising that a 10 team World Cup is NOT GOOD for cricket. Please, expand our game, and give a chance to the lesser experienced nations, who are crying out for more exposure. Let’s truly globalise our great game, and the way to do that is by supporting, enabling and encouraging the lesser nations thanks to long term decision making.
Spread the message, cricket fans.
