My view is that the World Cup is a wonderful incentive for these countries to improve their cricket internally and help grow the game worldwide. It is a long-term project that needs all the help it can get. Ultimately, it's only when the players in those countries are playing regular top-class cricket and are paid professionally that they will start to make inroads into the Full Member nations.

In addition, players who were born in the high-performance countries but moved overseas with their parents when they were young are now returning to the land of their birth to help with their experience and to try and gain a place in the team with the World Cup as their incentive. In fact
the ICC has increased the funding 10-fold in order to narrow the gap between the full member countries and the Associates.

The associate countries have been prepared better for this World Cup than ever before and it has started to show in their performances. Ireland, in particular, have shown a rapid improvement, captained by an Australian, Trent Johnston, a medium-fast seamer and, with a number of players who have county experience in England, they have a very good team. Any side underestimating them will be doing themselves few favours.

Ireland recently had South Africa 98 for 8, which means that their bowling is very disciplined. The Irish have six out of seven lefthanders in the upper order and they are young and fit on the field. They are, in other words, a serious banana skin fixture.

All things being equal, international and full time professionals should beat their amateur counterparts 99% of the time. It is that nagging 1% that keeps teams honest and in fact the odds are greater in the six associate member nations because of the time and money spent on them. They now have a full-time four-day competition and at least three to four one-day tournaments in the lead-up to the World Cup.

They are now looked after by full-time trainers and coaches and in order to make the most of this some players have had to take nine months unpaid leave to play. They certainly have the motivation to want to do well.

The acid test, of course, is whether they can maintain their form and are able to deal with the professional cricketers. I find the golf analogy useful when trying to assess the difference (though there are no handicaps to assist). Professional golfers have been known to hit 2000 balls a day each while their amateur counterparts only have an eighth of the time to practice and consequently hit about 250 balls a day - and some of us on average about 1 extra ball a day per annum.

A professional golfer may hit up to 2000 balls a day, an amateur will have time only for 250 while the rest average just one extra ball a day © Getty Images

Practice is relative; it helps as long as it is constructive but the bottom line is that the professional sportsman generally hits far more balls, bowls far more balls and catches far more than his amateur counterpart and therefore should be better skills wise. The Pakistan v Ireland contest therefore should go the way of Pakistan, though it will, without doubt, be a real contest and Pakistan will not be treating this game lightly especially in view of the first game loss to the West Indies.

Strategically, Ireland will try and bowl tight lines and lengths with the keeper standing up to stifle the free-flowing style of the Pakistan batting line up and Pakistan too will try and bring a game plan that will apply pressure on the Irish bowling. The fielding should be of even standard and the bowling of Pakistan, with its variety, should cause the Irish batting some problems.

Despite the efforts of the high-performance programme the result should favour the Full Member nation. Inzamam-ul-Haq alone has played 350-plus matches; add the caps won by the whole Irish eleven, multiply by 10 and they do not have his experience! However all the conjecture and words mean nothing and it will be the intensity of competition that will eventually decide the outcome of this contest.

Certainly. With this outstanding format the tournament remains well-balanced and competitive and the associates are given the chance to compete at the top level. However, unless one of the smaller countries reach the next stage then the matches involving them should not be accorded ODI status. It would be a great pity, for example, if the first ODI 200 were scored in these matches. Sri Lanka have already posted the world record score against Holland.
Brian Newham.

Great comments. In contradiction to Ricky Ponting and others I believe it to be essential for the associate members to be involved in the World Cup and it is important for them to be involved wherever possible. If we want our great game to continue to be a popular sporting force worldwide then the upmost must be done to extend its reach. The only way this will happen is through the associate nations improving (how else but through increased funding and regular match play?) and grass-roots cricket expanding in these regions.

Without regular play and eventually some sort of payment system, why would the kids of Ireland or the Netherlands (just for example) play cricket when they could give soccer or rugby a go? First-Class systems within these countries are absoloutley necessary. What about some sort of 1st Class World Championship (every year or even 2nd year) where 1st class players from Aus, UK, NZ, SA, IND, PAK etc. who are not playing international cricket participate against teams from the associate countries. This would increase competition for every nation and give associate members' players some much needed exposure to high-class cricketing competition. Only problem may be funding, but it wouldn't cost as much as many international ODI tournaments do to run.

I reckon that in the current setup it is a dream that Holland will improve further. There is no foundation in Holland to further professionalise cricket, as there are no spectators at toplevel matches. The only way that Holland can improve further is by separting a team of twenty talented youngsters and having those talents form their own "county" in English or any other toplevel competition. If you keep the talents in the Dutch competition, this is as good as we'll get, and yesterday, it wasn't very good!

Definetly. If not for anything else, every team can fancy their chance of beating India. If they do not play regularly with test teams they cannot improve their standards. You cannot learn swimming without entering into water. It will take a while for them to compete, but it is the only way. As I am writing this India is 74/4 after 26 overs against Bangladesh. So much for not allowing them to play.

I completely support the idea of having associates competing at the highest levels. It might be worth pursuing a regional qualifying structure, similar to the way soccer is organized for the FIFA World Cup. In that instance, people were over the moon when Trinidad qualified for the first time.

John Davison's century against the West Indies in the 2003 WC renewed interest in Canada, and the 2007 WC has been getting pretty good coverage (1/2 a page to a full page for Canada's match) considering that the NHL playoffs are just around the corner. High-level competition for associates translates into increased interest in the game.

It is true that good progress has been made by some associate members (well mainly Ireland), but it should not be forgotten that until now, most of the associate members have been pretty much massacred. This is not to say that I don't think these nations should be playing with the test playing nations, surely they will improve over time as they play more competitive cricket. In fact I think it is essential for the development of these nations and the sport itself that more people are attracted in countries not usually associated with cricket.

However, in my opinion, making these countries play in the world cup might do more harm than good. After all, not many people enjoy watching their national representatives being bludgeoned by the likes of say, Herschelle Gibbs, and I’m sure neither do the players. Instead of pushing these countries into such a high profile tournament, they should be made to play against test playing nations in smaller competitions (triangular series or perhaps even bilateral 3 ODI series) and more regularly rather than getting a shot at the "professional" cricketers every four years. That, together with exposure to decent first-class cricket should enable these players to attain the level of training and experience required to feature successfully in tournament like the world cup.

I agree with Bob Woolmer, associates should play more tournaments alongside the major teams, but only the best associates in the build up of a major tournament like the world cup should play. Bermuda does not deserve being in the carribean for this tournament.

Reently with great performance ireland prove they could be best team in the world in the future. even though irish players did not play cricket that much cricket before but they are playing decent cricket than other nations. I think if ICC should give them chance to play more cricket with other nations. Ireland has some decent bowler and batsman that can put any time in touble.

Absolutely! These teams won't get better until they're playing more with the National and First Class teams. If they're good enough to be on the World Cup list, they should be on at least the First Class games.
Also, the Twenty20's must be pushed forward aggressively - they are the future.

Harsha

Associate teams such as Kenya, Netherlands, Ireland and Canada should be given ample opportunity to compete at the top level. One must not forget the success story of Sri Lanka which fought tooth and nail to be a cricketing power. Even Bangladesh and Kenya and have come a long way since making their World Cup Debuts in 1999 and 1996 respectively. The more competition at the top level, the better the opportunity for these associate nations to become cricketing powerhouses. The time has come for more nations to play cricket and expand the game as a global sport. Lets support these Associate nations. Long live the game of Cricket !!!!!

no i do not think it is right to do so there must be a second calss if we are to maintain the first class, so must it be. this sounds simple ,maybe too simple dut then that is the whole idea , something for the associates to aspire to , permanent test status-ness is what should be talked about , the provision of relagation and promotion to the higher echelon tha should galvanise the lads. not this talk of occassional tournaments together and the odd upsete here and there.
lets have the balls , forgiveme , to relegate pakistan if they are not doing well and promote kenya coz they are .

I believe that every team has potiential to do its best. The only problem is consistency. As nothing could be improve upon or achieve over night, so can't consistency. For consistency such as Australia, you(a team) need to play more cricket against team superior that yourself(a team). Assosiate teams should be able to play at an international level in order for them to become better. Ireland looks to have a great future ahead of them, and so does the assosiate teams. These teams only need more funding and better coaching and they are on their way to earn themselves some respect from other great nations

And we saw Ireland roll over Pakistan live. I paid for that! Give 'em Test Status!

I think they have to play more tournament.

I believe that currently there are 5 world cricket leagues which associate members compete in, presumably with promotion and relegation between them. So why have the top team from league 1 play-off in a 3 match test series against the bottom placed test nation every 5 years for the right to replace them?

R.I.P. Bob,
Pakistan and the rest of the cricketing world will miss you. You will forever be remembered for your invaluable services to the game.

The system in test-playing nations, especially in the subcontinent doesn't work; it only gives intense pressure to those involved.

May you rest in peace.

The events of the weekend seem to settle this debate. There has always been a great deal of complacency in cricket, which manifests itself in leisurely fielding and running, careless batting and wayward bowling. A loss is never so terrible because any team you would be playing is, at the least, a "test playing nation". This helps to gloss over the difficulty of actually playing the game of cricket, where a few errors can have sudden and disastrous consequences. By its nature it is not a forgiving game. But under the current system it is not always clear to a player or team when his/their poor performance is due to a drop in standard to below that expected of international, TP nations.

Two TP teams have now discovered to their detriment that athleticism (especially in the field), as well as passion and hunger, can make up for deficiencies of skill and experience.

The addition of some associate nations to both WC and CT would, I believe, improve the quality (and popularity) of cricket in the established nations. But i do not think it is necessary for quite as many to play as are now playing.

i think they have to play more and more tournaments and no wonder one day they will take the worldcup to their land.but i have a question here that why PCB is not shuffling the players and why they are not taking a talent from domestic cricket.
regards
Haris Khan - Dubai

The system when it comes to the associates is a mess. I agree with Nathan. It makes sense for them to play but at the same time not so many associates should play at the world cup level. Isnt the world cup the ultimate championship for ODI's. Is it right for a team like Pakistan who can beat Ireland any given day (except for the infamous 17th of March) bow out of the big stage after playing only 2 games. I dont think it is right. I am for sure, they are a lot better than that. Anyways, besides the point. I think there are two many associates playing in the world cup. If they are to the play in the ultimate tournament of world cricket, I think they should be brought on to face the big 8 of cricket more often. Why didnt any of the associates or as a matter of fact, a test playing nation- Bangladesh play in the champions trophy? Why do they play against each other always? Why cant there be a tournament where Australia, Bangladesh, India , Ireland particiapate and compete against each other? Why not? Money? Media? Sponsors? I guess..!!Alright! Now, let us assume that Ireland has proven itself in the big stage. In fact, I personally think it has. On their day, they were able to beat a former world champion team. So, what next? Where does Ireland go after this? Why isn't Namibia playing this world cup? They played the last one. Where did they disappear? Where did UAE disappear? Is Ireland going to disappear next world cup. There has to be a meaning to the world cup. Minnows should never find it that easy to enter the world cup.And, if they do, they better be worth it. Ireland so far have proven so. They better be there next time around too. Keep them playing along with the bigger teams on a more regular basis. That is the only way cricket is going to gain poplularity and develop in that country. Not by giving them a ray of hope to have a shot at the world cup 4 years from today. It shouldnt be the big teams playing against each other all the time.The associates should play the big teams on a more regular basis. I am an avid fan of cricket. I had no idea of this Ireland team. They need to be playing more often. Its complicated, I know. But the ICC has made it that way. They better get this thing sorted out.

so 2011 world cup:
USA, CANADA, BERMUDA, IRELAND, SCOTLAND, KENYA, HOLLAND, NAMIBIA, UAE? And these countries wouldn't have played any of the big teams for four long years.IT JUST ISN'T RIGHT!!KEEP IT SIMPLE.IF QUALIFIED FOR THE WORLD CUP, THE TEAM SHOULD PLAY ONE DAY TOURNAMENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS WITH BIG TEAMS.

Yes!Give Associate countries more games against the top tier nations.That's the only way they can improve-remember the old adage that 'Practice makes perfect'.I would love to see Kenya maul England on a regular basis.

Yes they should definately play more. this will not only help them improve but also avoid embarassment for the full members of loosing in the all important World Cup!

The associate nations should be given a chance of Fair competition by letting them play with proffessional sides. Ultimately it will be good for the game of Cricket.ICC and other associate members should take such nations under their wing to provide neccessary coaching and other amenities for the betterment of the game.

Bob,

We will miss you and this whole cricket world will be indebited to your services. You don't deserve this, it could had been better.

~ Sid

Competitive matches from the Associates are too few to justify playing Test nations on a regular basis. The reality is that international schedules are already full, and Associates provide no financial incentive whatsoever for their opponents.

Associates should be playing in A tournaments, because they're are basically competing at this level, and in some cases even lower.

If a Test nation chooses to play them, so be it, but the burden shouldn't be on a Test nation to develop their cricket.

If a nation as a whole has no passion for cricket, then just forget about them ever achieving Test status. Bangladesh got Test status and could be counted on to improve because they're a cricketing nation, where cricket is part of the culture. Dump all the money you want into Canada, for instance, and it won't change the culture.

Perhaps the ICC should hold two tournaments at the World Cup, one for Test nations and one for Associates. Test nations and Associates can play each other in the warm up matches, which don't carry official ODI status, for those are concerned about records being smashed.

i think they all deserve test playing status and should defintitely be allowed to play at the world cup because it gives you that excitement when you know that a second randes teir team has a chance to make history.like ireland did against pakistan.

Much of the above criticism of the ICC misses the target.

Visit the ICC website, click on 'Development'. They have been spending millions of dollars on promoting the game in its non-traditional lands. And doing an excellent job. If there hasn't been enough games against test-match countries, blame it on crowded schedules and the money-demands of international broadcasters (or greedy home boards from the major countries). The ICC did their best providing the Associate countries with tournaments to boost their matchplay before this World Cup. What of the tournament recently completed in Kenya? What of the ICC Intercontinental Cup, designed to assist minor countries in the longer game also, and whose format is expanding this year?

The ICC can be criticised like any large sporting organisation (FIFA anyone?). But let's not deny the real progress being made.

After reading this piece i have just realized again how much you cared for the game and it's future. I hope ICC is listening Coach.

May your soul rests in peace! God Bless you.