View Full Version : ICC expansion
There was a story the other day about the ICC wanting to expand the number of associate nations by as many as six by the 2007 World Cup, but the implication was they are looking for more test nations. Kenya, Namibia, Canada and Holland were mentioned, and surely the US would get a run too.
So it begs the question, out of these, which of them would be decent additions? Certainly not Canada, probably not Namibia, maybe not Holland (although they do get to play in the English leagues) and maybe Kenya IMO. The US suggestion is a joke. Fix the goddamned problem with Zimbabwe and Bangladesh first.
dr nick
13 May 2004, 17:57
At this stage, i'd add one for the expense of another nation.
I'd give Kenya a shot and relegate Bangladesh, though admittedly i'm not terribly up to speed on the other nations apart from their efforts at the start of 2003.
BTW if expansion is too quick, it will only damage the game. Just ask rugby league.
In lieu of expansion there should be at two-tier system, featuting perhaps bi-annual relegation/promotion? Send Bangladesh and Kenya down to Div 2. for the time being, and put them up against the likes of Namibia, Holland, Canada, the US etc.
Sure, there's always the argument that these countries need to play against the best, and that could occur at World Cups... but at least there would be a bit more organization for the lesser lights.
Originally posted by DaveW
Link?
I can't find where I saw it, but I think it was on the ABC website in the sports section. The ICC homepage here (http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/ICC/) probably has something.
Ganguly has come out in favour of a two tier system, which isn't a bad idea. Add in Holland, Kenya and another African team or combination of African nations under one banner (Namibia, Uganda etc), and maybe Canada, add in the bottom three full test nations and you could hvae a lower level that has some skill in it with the more experienced nations, and better cricket in the top group. You could even throw in Ireland and Scotland and have an eight team per level thing, and add new ones in as they come up to standard.
Originally posted by Mog
I can't find where I saw it, but I think it was on the ABC website in the sports section. The ICC homepage here (http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/ICC/) probably has something.
You could even throw in Ireland and Scotland and have an eight team per level thing, and add new ones in as they come up to standard.
They play cricket in Ireland?
Damn, all i thought they did was play gaelic footy, drink guinness and grow potatoes
Originally posted by regal_eagle
They play cricket in Ireland?
Damn, all i thought they did was play gaelic footy, drink guinness and grow potatoes
They beat Surrey the other day from memory.
Originally posted by regal_eagle
They play cricket in Ireland?
Damn, all i thought they did was play gaelic footy, drink guinness and grow potatoes
Ireland actually made it to the 3rd place playoff of the 1997 ICC Trophy. Which they lost to Scotland, who got the final berth in the 1999 World Cup.
And that was when Kenya & Bangladesh still played in the that tournament (they contested the final).
silky-smooth
15 May 2004, 03:36
I'd give Kenya a go. I mean... ****... they made the Semi Finals of the Cricket World Cup - the semi finals... it is so hard to digest.
Bangladesh has never shown any hunger to win a test... except for their first test innings of 400 v India.