5 Reasons why the coming years will be the best time for Cricket

#4 Diminishing barriers between full members and associates

Calum MacLeod scored a scintillating century to help Scotland beat England

Three months ago, Scotland, the 13th ranked ODI team, defeated the then top ODI team England. This is one of the numerous examples that has shown the fighting spirit and talent of the so-called associates. Just before being promoted to a full member, Afghanistan had given immense competition to teams like West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

Notably, in the recently concluded women's Asia cup, Thailand women defeated a prominent Sri Lanka women's team. These are all pointing fingers at the fact that the lower ranked teams are also now as competent as the top teams of world cricket.