Its strange that they don't want countries like Ireland, Netherlands and Afghanistan who are making strides to progress and increase the sports appeal, I read somewhere that since the last world cup Ireland has played only 9 1-day internationals against test playing countries in the last 4 years (2 of those were against England, who played them under duress), the Aussies and Pakistan are the only ones who seem to show a bit of encouragement.
The next world cup is cut down to 10 teams, top 8 ranked plus 2 others, you can't get ranking points unless you are playing the top teams even if Ireland were to win the world cup this year we wouldn't have enough points to make the top 8. It is a closed shop where the top 8 don't want anyone else, given the chance they would ditch Zimbabwe.
Thirty years ago Rugby and Cricket had similar global appeal 8 or so nations who took it seriously, since then compare rugby's attitude, introducing Italy/Argentina to regular top class competition, the 7's series going round the world (this week was in Las Vegas), Commonwealth games/Olympic participation, regular matches with weaker nations (even if only fielding second strings), 20 team world cups.
You can argue that its hasn't all worked and still not enough teams are competitive at the highest level but at least they are trying and encouraging the smaller nations.
You can keep Morgan!!!
