A lot has been said on the decision to leave out the minnows / Associate teams out of the 2015 World cup down under. The decision isnt that harsh given the following facts:
1. It shall make the world cup a lot competitive.
2. Easy games shall no more be an option for teams like Lanka who march all the way to the finals.
3. The length of the world cup shall be reduced from month and half to may be month or so.
4. The world cup winner in the end shall have been tested under all situations and would be a worthy winner like India which played almost every test nation except NZ and got better of them all except SA.
5. No easy runs for minnows feasting batsmen like Mahila and Dilshan.
Development of cricket or the expansion of cricket has taken a backseat, but then how many teams really developed playing this world cups 1996 ownwards. Ireland is the best of the lot and Kenya, Canada being the worst of the lot.
Kenya have played every world cup since 1996 and their situation today is pitiful. They didnt gain a bit by playing the world cups may be after 2003. Ireland have developed a lot, but then they dont have their own first class structure and their good players are poached upon by England. Eoin Morgan is the best example.
Bermuda, Scotland, Netherlands, Kenya, UAE etc have stalled or they have not progressed to the extent the ICC would have liked by rubbing their shoulders with the top boys.
May be the ICC could do is have a qualifier for last 2 spots and have 6 teams play for those 2 spots. The # 9 and # 10 on ICC rankings should be part of those qualifiers. If thats being done, then teams like BD and Zim shall be on edge and they would strive to perform better in the span between 2 world cups.
