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In a word, no.
I was reading some further comments from the head of cricket Ireland, who as some may be aware began the application for full ICC membership late last year.
Ireland would be the first new full member since Zimbabwe in 1992. Essentially, the response from the ICC was 'good luck' - no further feedback, advice or even criterion that they needed to satisfy was offered.
Several nations around the world - notably Ireland, Holland, Canada, Kenya, Namibia and the UAE - have large numbers of registered cricketers. All of them (barring Namibia) already have at least one ICC sanctioned international venue. Some have two or three. Canada has a semi-professional domestic competition, and Ireland's national team competes in English domestic limited overs competitions.
What I'm saying is - so much of the hard work is already done. The Intercontinental Cup was a good start, but now it has stagnated. Why isn't the ICC helping out with more money for things like sending national 'A' sides on tours? Or funding the best developing countries on tour?
How good would it be for Canada to send their national team to New Zealand, play some provincial teams and some 'tests' against New Zealand 'A'. They'd get their brains beaten in, at first, then they'd get better.
When the tour is over, Pakistan 'A' should be touring. Then they should be off to Sri Lanka. etc.
The ICC has obscenely deep pockets, I think they are failing the next generation of test teams. In a big, big way.
I was reading some further comments from the head of cricket Ireland, who as some may be aware began the application for full ICC membership late last year.
Ireland would be the first new full member since Zimbabwe in 1992. Essentially, the response from the ICC was 'good luck' - no further feedback, advice or even criterion that they needed to satisfy was offered.
Several nations around the world - notably Ireland, Holland, Canada, Kenya, Namibia and the UAE - have large numbers of registered cricketers. All of them (barring Namibia) already have at least one ICC sanctioned international venue. Some have two or three. Canada has a semi-professional domestic competition, and Ireland's national team competes in English domestic limited overs competitions.
What I'm saying is - so much of the hard work is already done. The Intercontinental Cup was a good start, but now it has stagnated. Why isn't the ICC helping out with more money for things like sending national 'A' sides on tours? Or funding the best developing countries on tour?
How good would it be for Canada to send their national team to New Zealand, play some provincial teams and some 'tests' against New Zealand 'A'. They'd get their brains beaten in, at first, then they'd get better.
When the tour is over, Pakistan 'A' should be touring. Then they should be off to Sri Lanka. etc.
The ICC has obscenely deep pockets, I think they are failing the next generation of test teams. In a big, big way.