The ICC have decided there will be only 10 teams in the next world cup. That's what Ireland get for beating England!
One fluke result does not a summer make. It's not good for the game but frankly I couldn't give a **** as cricket is the one sport I can enjoy without rabid England-hating "celts" having any input.
Personally I think they should extend it to 16 teams with 4 groups of four. That way, a 'minnow' has more chance of being rewarded if they can beat a 'test' side. At the moment it is stacked up in favour of the test sides so that they will progress even if they do lose a game against a minnow
I think the promotion of cricket in other countries is going to take a hit from this. It really is a members only sport.
How can you develop cricket in countries by only playing 20/20, yes they may win a few more games and get few more viewers, but the standard will go down, if they onl have 20/20 to concentrate on how on earth will they improve, they will just get big hitters and specialist plyaers for that format of the game, players develop by playing test cricket and 50 over cricket. This maybe a good idea in the short term but in the long term this will really really have a negative impact on the development in these countries.
I think it's a disgrace. I agree with Devon, 4 groups of 4 makes for a far more competitive competition. I love the world cups, T20 or ODI. It's a real shame that teams like Ireland and, in previous years, Barbados et al won't get a real stab at it. It's good that underdogs like Ireland can have a real go at England, even though I got a ribbing from a celt friend at work. The ICC panda to the big teams but find me a major sporting organisation that doesn't.
ireland have been ranked ahead of Zimbabwe for most of the last 4 years. Zimbabwe are a member....so they get the spot. Jokeshop.
And here we have an ardent believer that the famine was God's way of dealing with the Irish. Newsflash, matey:We don't hate England. If we did, why do so many of us follow English clubs? Why do so many of us keep tabs of the cricket?
Wasn't the reason they were kicked out of the world cup because Mugabe was such a tyrant they wanted nothing to do with him?
Zimbabwe were in the WC. The International cricket community should and could have introduced stricter sanctions against zimbabwe. Only the england team has made any kind of stand at all against them.
Just black balled by England. Its slightly reminiscent of the Lions tour to Apartheid South africa. These things should get driven by the sportsmen to say no and not opt for the "its just a game" ****e. It will change if there is a will from the supporters. ...but there isn't. Meanwhile ireland have busted their balls to get competitive (as have afghanistan, holland, scotland, canada et al) and get no reward at all for their efforts. It is absolutely corrupt.
Where did I mention potatoes? Those long summer days and long winter nights watching/listening to the cricket without a "celt" to be seen or heard, bliss. Wish they'd drop Morgan.
and yet here you are discussing the matter with two followers of Irish cricket... You don't really wish they'd drop Morgan. He is (y)our most gifted player
Utter nonsense! He is a slogger who rides his luck and sometimes knocks up a decent score quickly. He fits in to the one day side but he is not a test player.
I didn't ask how long you have been watching, I asked how much you know? So why would you say something so stupid?