The 7th match of the 1st Round Group A match between Netherlands and Oman was called off due to rain, thereby eliminating Netherlands’ chances of making it to the Super 10 stage of the tournament. What followed after the game was an emotional press conference by the Netherlands skipper Peter Borren.
"It's obviously not enough cricket, that's fair to say".
“If we had managed to get through here, it would have been fantastic. But today's rain means that we're in a position where we possibly won't be playing in a world event for how many years [four]. And in this sort of environment, I've been lucky to have played in a few, but it seems like it's becoming less opportunities for Associate teams, which is frustrating.
“For me, I'm getting older but some of our young guys... it's pretty hard to tell a guy like Paul van Meekeren, for example, who bowls four overs, gets 2 for 17 against Bangladesh, that there might be another opportunity if we get really-really good cricket over three-four years time. It's pretty tough."
It isn't just the plea of the Netherlands skipper but of almost all associate nations. It isn't difficult to admit that the gentlemen's game has not been kind to them. The ICC's decision to reduce the 2019 World Cup to a 10 team tournament only makes the plight of these teams more difficult.
The 10 teams would consist of England, 7 teams from the top 8 in ICC rankings and only two nations from the ICC Qualifiers to be held in Bangladesh.
Growing Associate nations and the need to learn from football
Football has had a more global outreach than Cricket. Football, as a sport has a good structure, both regionally as well as internationally. To play a sport is not just an exhibition of skill and passion but is also a source of living for those who excel in it.
While FIFA has had suggestions to increase the number of teams that will be participating in the World Cup finals from 32 to 40, the ICC has shortened the 2019 World Cup to a 10 team tournament. Just pure passion for the game will not help a nation develop, given the limited amount of opportunities and exposure.
The so-called associate nations have pulled off a few stunners in the recent World Cup's. Ireland defeated West Indies in the 2015 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan nearly snatched wins against South Africa and England in this years edition of the T20 World Cup and later they proved that Cricket is a great game of uncertainties by defeating the unbeaten West Indies side with a spirited performance.
It's totally unfair that even after such encouraging performances, the non-test playing nations only get a handful of matches a year to ply their trade. A few matches against top teams will not only help financially but will also give them a fair amount of exposure at the top level prior to participating in a World Cup. This exposure will enable them to improve their game.
Over the last two years, India has sent second string sides to tour against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh(2014). Not only India, but if all the full member teams can send their scond string squads to tour the likes of Netherlands, Scotland, Oman, UAE, Afghanistan, Ireland etc.
It will not only benefit the associate nations but also help the full member nations to test out their bench strength. An example worthy of notice would be the Bangladesh Team. The Bangladeshis have grown in stature over the last couple of years. The rise can be attributed to the exposure that the team has got in international cricket over the years.
Irrespective of the results, Bangladesh played against the likes of India and played in the Asia Cup. Also, if the associates get to play more cricket ,it would eventually increase the revenue that is generated. The extra revenue generated can be invested in the game to expand its horizon.
Legends’ Support
There has been no shortage of support for the associate teams from the legends of the sport. Recently, Michael Vaughan appealed to the ICC in a tweet to change its mind. The tweet evoked support from legends of the game like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Shane Warne.
Hopefully, the ICC recognises the need to schedule more games that give more opportunities to these associate teams. More teams will definitley result into more fans and therefore, greater revenue to invest in the game. So, why bash the minnows?
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