If you want more teams to play in the World Cup, why restrict the number of world cup teams?
This question was raised by the International Cricket Council Chief Executive, David Richardson, during the recent Asian Cricket Council Conference in Sri Lanka.
With the ICC World Cup coming up in 2019, Richardson raised this question following critics regarding the cut of fourteen participating nations to 10.
This would mean that no associate nation would have a shot at the pinnacle of cricket come 2019.
Though being one of the top four in the ICC World Cricket League, the PNG Hebou Barramundis will have one shot at entry, but they will have to overcome West Indies, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Netherlands, Hong Kong and Scotland, in order to do so.
Richardson added, the very act of reducing the world cup spots alone, has already contradicted ICC’s aim to promote the game and expand the number of teams playing at the top level.
Though not all members of the International Cricket Council were convinced Richardson’s remarks were genuine.
For the PNG side, this change poses new threats, as the likes of West Indies, and Afghanistan enters PNG’s circle of play.
Next year will see the Barramundis take their play up a notch, in order to make a break in the 2018 qualifiers.
