Ponting backs elite competition in 2015
Other captains split on ICC's decision.
NEW DEHLI:
World Cup captains are split on the future of smaller teams at the showpiece event with Australian skipper Ricky Ponting calling for an elite competition but England’s Andrew Strauss urging caution.
The next World Cup in 2015 will feature just 10 teams, down from the current 14. Ponting said that there was a balance to be struck between encouraging the growth of the game and improving the quality of the competition.
“It would be a better tournament if there were fewer teamsm,” said Ponting. “The World Cup is the pinnacle of our sport.”
Former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene agreed with Ponting, saying, “Cricket is a global game and we need to try and make sure that everyone comes to that standard one day.”
However, England captain Andrew Strauss said it was too soon to say whether cricket’s second-tier nations should be kicked out. Meanwhile, Netherlands coach Peter Drinnen urged associate members to show they belonged at the World Cup in a bid to force the International Cricket Council to reconsider.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2011.
World Cup captains are split on the future of smaller teams at the showpiece event with Australian skipper Ricky Ponting calling for an elite competition but England’s Andrew Strauss urging caution.
The next World Cup in 2015 will feature just 10 teams, down from the current 14. Ponting said that there was a balance to be struck between encouraging the growth of the game and improving the quality of the competition.
“It would be a better tournament if there were fewer teamsm,” said Ponting. “The World Cup is the pinnacle of our sport.”
Former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene agreed with Ponting, saying, “Cricket is a global game and we need to try and make sure that everyone comes to that standard one day.”
However, England captain Andrew Strauss said it was too soon to say whether cricket’s second-tier nations should be kicked out. Meanwhile, Netherlands coach Peter Drinnen urged associate members to show they belonged at the World Cup in a bid to force the International Cricket Council to reconsider.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2011.