World cup down to 10 teams

[eugene]

This is not an Ireland v Zimbabwe issue. The issue is that the ICC are now running the only world cup in any sport without a qualification process. The much-heralded 92 World Cup even had an associate member participate - that being Zimbabwe who competed admirably and even beat eventual finalist England. The next two world cups will not be world cups at all - they will be tournaments played between ten countries. Zimbabwe have done nothing at the last two World Cups to deserve automatic qualification ahead of Ireland or any other associate. Zimbabwe has not beaten a full member team at a world cup since 1999. The argument that Zimbabwe is superior to Ireland has become tedious and ridiculous. At best we are about even.

[bayhaus]

Sad day for cricket. 8 years! That's someones whole career! I feel especially for the Associates. I dont mind Zim fighting for a place, it would keep our boys on their toes. ICC MAfia just like FIFA at least FIFA gives everyone a shot and you come up with real world champions. E L I T I S T!!!! Its almost like WWF Wrestling where an American Champion is automatically the World Champion!
A R R O G A N C E!!!!

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

MEANWHILE IN DUBAI an emergency meeting was called of the International Federation of Rusty Batsmen, where the decision to exclude minnows from the World Cup was received with an overwhelming sense of tragedy.

In a funereal atmosphere inside the packed Vinod Kambli Hall, incumbent IFRB president Brendon McCullum was left traumatised by the announcement. "No Canada? No Kenya? How on earth do you expect us to bat ourselves back into form? All this just as I was just starting to decipher Balaji Rao's slider," said McCullum, who averages 153 against Canada.

On being told that at least he'd still be able to face Zimbabwe in 2015, McCullum said: "Ah yes, Zimbo, I average 129 against them, right? But I thought you said only Test nations would be playing in 2015... oh, seriously? Zimbabwe are back in Test cricket?"

McCullum was cut short, as an ICC agent in suit, black tie and sunglasses appeared from the shadows, summarily shook his head and retreated into the darkness.

As if on the cusp of concluding an important business transaction, honorary life member JP Duminy (average: 102.25 v Zimbabwe) looked on with great interest, occasionally nodding firmly, and tentatively red-inking dates in his 2015 diary.

"It's not all bad - we just reached a landmark deal, getting tailenders to agree that they'd throw away their wickets to Steve Smith," said Kieron Pollard, a keen participant in his first meeting of the federation, beaming from ear to ear. "It should keep Smith in the Aussie side for the foreseeable future."

Since Ricky Ponting - ever the optimist - classed him as an "allrounder", Smith is also a de facto member of the IFRB, and initiated a standing ovation in response to Pollard's assertion.

Nishant Joshi is a medical student. When not taking patient histories, he is editor of The Alternative Cricket Almanack 2011

[Kriterion_BD]

The 10 team format is good. It's burrowed from 9 team round-robin clash of my favourite 1992 world cup. It will be a tough and fair competition as every team will play against each other and a true world cup in strict sense. Ireland are making noises because they play good cricket in world cup. They were better than Bangladesh to be honest but they have to first beat Zimbabwe in a series to press their claims. With test cricket soon to be resume we will only improve.

If Ireland are better than BD, but not as good as ZIM, doesn't that imply that ZIM is better than BD?

If you're just talking about the WC, if Ireland's 4 points are more than BD's 6 points, does that mean that Kenya's 0 points were more than Pakistan's 10?

If you're talking about head to head matches, then does that mean that Sri Lanka beat India in the final?

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

If Ireland are better than BD, but not as good as ZIM, doesn't that imply that ZIM is better than BD?

As far as my personal choice is concerned, ask me anywhere, anytime and my answer would be- Zimbabwe is much better side than Irl or Bang. full stop.
Plz incorporate the 'like button' for other users

[sloandog]

If Ireland are better than BD, but not as good as ZIM, doesn't that imply that ZIM is better than BD?

As far as my personal choice is concerned, ask me anywhere, anytime and my answer would be- Zimbabwe is much better side than Irl or Bang. full stop.
Plz incorporate the 'like button' for other users

In all honesty mate, Zimbabwe aren't as good as Bangladesh....the sooner we acept that the better.
Although we can be as good as them on our day, we aren't better....yet!
However, we ARE a lot better than Ireland...if you take away their main players, they don't have the players to call on like we do. Say Taylor falls ill, we have Sibanda/Duffin to open.
If Graeme Cremer gets injured, we have Mushangwe or Muruma to fill his boots...
My point is, although Zimbabwe aren't performing well, the structure and stabiloty is in place, hence we'll have a better cricketing future than the Irish, who have yet to find a First class sytem.

Though i must say, Ireland are a damn good team, and could give ANY side, even India and run for their money on their day.
If there's a team thar deserves recognition, it's Ireland, but not at the expense of Cricket Zimbabwe

[ZIMDOGGY]

The real answer us 12. Meet halfway
11 shoo INS plus a top assoc. Which you'd think Is holland

[eugene]

12 seems to be the obvious answer. If they are really set on 10 teams at least have a qualification process. I wouldn't be surprised if the ICC changes their mind about no qualification. I think they have underestimated the backlash.

[Kopje]

Apparently Zimbabwe and Bangladesh had a significant hand in keeping the Associates out of the World Cup...(rumour)
http://news.in.msn.com/international/ar ... id=5110454

[eugene]

Of course Zimbabwe and Bangladesh kept the associates out. They know it keeps the pressure off them to perform if they are the worst teams in the tournament.