Cricket not Global enough?

Question

Cricket is one of the world's major sports with a huge fan base. However i must question the direction of this game, its always been a sport of "Country Club Status". Only the elite nations play on yearly basis against each other.

1) South Africa
2) Bangladesh
3) England
4) India
5) Australia
6) West Indies
7) New Zealand
8) Sri Lanka
9) Pakistan
10) Zimbabwe

10 teams in "World Cricket" is insufficient for a game to grow globably in terms of advertising revenue and overall interest in the sport. Other nations play at an associate level (Bermuda, Netherlands, Canada, Scotland, Kenya and Ireland being at the top of that crop). But is that enough? Plenty other nations such as Italy, Uganda, Namibia, UAE and many others are training players and traveling the world for competition, but what young sprotsmen wants to play a sport where he may never face the best in the world such as the case is in cricket? Should more teams be granted top status to compete with the "Big 10"?

Answer 1

Hey, tell you what. Thats really an interesting question! I know that ICC is trying hard to popularise cricket. Inclusion of cricket in Olympics is now a big boost. May be that will have the world turn back to cricket and start practising even more.

The reason why ICC is not really making the new comers play against the Top 10 team are because that the ICC feels that there would be no competition and many would result in one sided contests. But as you said, world cup had plenty of upsets too. The ICC should really consider playing them consistently against big teams as there is no point in saying that there would be one-sided contests.

We see many one-sided contests nowadays too. Australian matches are one-sided. So, does it mean that ICC will not allow any team play against Aus? Now, doesnt that sound stupid! I think its the same in here too. I think this question really makes one think of why not other countries vs Top 10.

Answer 2

Things are changing, big change is coming in cricket world. The money part has touched cricket. Cricket has changed its game rule, now cricket will be more like baseball.

Three hour game plaed all year. The new format of 20-20 is catching up and soon it supposed hit other nations. In USA we alrready have clubs, it is matter of time before it catches with main stream public.

http://www.forumcricket.com

Answer 3

I know where your coming from, at the moment , there are only really 8 teams that play Test cricket that can challenge each other, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in my opinion were admitted to Test status to early, especially Zimbabwe, give it time and Bangladesh will be up there with the other Test playing nations, maybe in 10 - 15 years time.

ODI's or 50 over games, the current format where the elite cricket playing nations continually play each other is the right way to go, in this format Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are more competitive against the other nations in this form of cricket, and it is good that developing nations like Ireland, Netherlands etc, have their seprate ICC compititions to play against each other and qualify for the World cup and Champions trophy,
If we were to unleash these minows against the cream of cricket on a regular basis would in my view be detrimental to their development as cricket playing nations.

The development of Twenty/20 in my veiw will prove to be the catalyst of a significant boom in world cricket, A form of the game where it is played for just 3hrs jam packed with big hits great fielding entertainment off field for the spectator, constant action the spectator can't take their eye's off for one second, will appeal to many countries that aren't quite ready for ODI's and test match cricket.
This form of cricket in my veiw will bring the lesser teams closer to the established teams, it's not like you need great skill in throwing the bat at a ball to score runs, the thing about Twenty/20 is that it might wet the appetite for these teams to then one day want to do well in the other forms of cricket, who knows in 50 years time a cricket World cup might just be as big as the Football World cup, and who knows Italy, France or even the US might win it!

Proverb: A mighty Oak grows from a small seed, so might cricket on the back of Twenty/20 cricket.

Answer 4

Just wait for some more years. I think this is going to change soon. Twenty20 cricket has been introduced just for that globalisation purpose.
I think only the stronger teams should play in test arena.

Associate teams should be given more chances to play against top teams regularly in one day international cricket (50-50).

And Twenty20 is for all. I am very hopeful that other weak teams will catch-up in twenty20 format.

Answer 5

as a Mater of fact,even the fans from the test playing countries you mentioned , refuses 20-20. they hate 20-20

Just wait for Twenty20more years. I think this is not going to change soon.


Twenty20 cricket has been introduced just for that globalisation purpose.


but we can see the target failed miserably, coz even the fans the countries you mentioned , refused 20-20,

Answer 6

I think your very right. Look at the world cup and some of the upsets that did or nearly happened. we need that very year and in every gaem and to do that requires a great deal of teams, but at contrasting levels. they don't care if they lose, wouldn't you want the opportunity to play against Australia or England?

Answer 7

Australia play the UAR now & again. But I know where you're coming from, it would be niceif it was more global. Just don't let the USA get their hands on it!

Answer 8

Well cricket is not popular enough like football.One reason could be it takes longer time than hockey,football or tennis and such other games

Answer 9

I feel 10( or max 12) is the optimum level for Test cricket grade level.Already we(followers) find it too many and too frequent to follow these matches.Any more members will dilute the intensity between teams and interest among followers.
The associate members have to excel among themselves and then displace one of the test level teams at the top.

Answer 10

I love Don Bradman