MUMBAI:
Cricket Ireland set up a Facebook campaign against the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision which confirmed a controversial decision to slash the 2015 and 2019 World Cups to just 10 teams despite widespread objections.
The Irish cricket governing body launched this campaign which the body’s Chief Executive Warren Deutrom called “frankly outrageous”.
“I cannot think of a decision which is less cognisant of the principles of sport and fair play than the one that has been taken,” said Deutrom, in comments posted on the Irish Times website. “It absolutely flies in the face of all the evidence that has been possible to accrue over the last four years as regards Ireland’s performances, not just in the World Cup in 2007 but also in this World Cup and the intervening four years.”
Meanwhile, Ireland captain William Porterfield has described the ICC’s decision as “an absolute joke”. “It’s an absolute disgrace,” said Porterfield. “I don’t know how they can even comprehend doing this.”
“We’re currently ranked 10th, ahead of Zimbabwe, and there is no reason why we can’t move up another position, if not two, by the next World Cup. Instead, the door has been closed in our face. It is an embarrassment.”
An unpopular move
The world governing body endorsed the move at an executive board meeting in Mumbai, following Saturday’s thrilling World Cup final when India lifted the trophy after a tournament featuring 14 teams.
The move comes despite support from prominent figures for “minnow” nations such as Ireland, Kenya, Canada and the Netherlands. Ireland pulled off one of the shocks of the just-concluded tournament when they came from behind to beat England by three wickets in a thrilling group stage clash.
Opposition
“I really enjoy seeing the minnow teams getting an opportunity to be honest,” said Australia captain Michael Clarke, echoing earlier comments by England spinner Graeme Swann.
“Why would you want to take the world out of the World Cup? Shocks can happen,” said Swann.
The decision means the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be contested only by the full ICC members: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies and Zimbabwe.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2011.
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