The ICC is still to decide on whether to consider the 10 ICC Test-playing nations. The final decision is expected at the conclusion of the current World Cup in April where 14 teams are competing.
Zimbabwe might play at the 2015 World Cup if the ICC selects the 10 member nations, but if they use rankings, the team will have to improve as they are currently on number 11 with Ireland sitting at number 10. The 10 Test-playing nations qualified automatically for the 2011 World Cup, while Kenya, Ireland, Netherlands and Canada won the remaining four places through a playoff system. Zimbabwe has not played any Test since 2006, but is an ICC full member.
The move to boot out minnows has been criticised by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) president Peter Chingoka who said they have always been advocating for more teams to participate at the World Cup.
“ICC is still deliberating on the issue. However, if they go by the decision of only playing the full member nations, we will be safe. If they decide to go by the rankings, then we need to improve on our rankings as we are currently ranked 11 with Ireland sitting on number 10. I am sure whichever decision they arrive at, we will be safe,” he said.
The decision has been met with mixed feelings with players from Associate nations such as Netherlands and Kenya rubbishing the idea while top players from Australia and New Zealand supported it.
Veteran Netherlands batsman Bas Zuiderent was quoted as saying: “I think it is a ridiculous decision. I hate to think this could be the last World Cup Netherlands may play.”
However, Australian captain Ricky Ponting supported the decision to leave the so-called minnows out of the tournament.
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“I have always been a bit unsure if World Cups and Champions Trophies are the right places to do (include associate nations).
“The major reason for that is I’m not sure how much a lot of teams actually learn when they are getting hammered like they tend to do in a lot of these contests,” Pointing was quoted as saying.
IN the past, the so-called minnows have posted some impressive results with Kenya defeating West Indies in 1996. The country also reached the second stage in 2003. Ireland also beat Pakistan in 2007 and reached the Super Eight stage of the tournament.
Zimbabwe was granted ICC full member status in 1991, but have not been playing Test cricket since 2006 after they voluntarily pulled out because they had a weak side.
Zimbabwe has plans to return to Test arena in August.
Zimbabwe reached the Super Six stage of the competition in 1999 after claiming the scalps of established powerhouses such as India among others. ICC full member countries are India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe.
