Give them exposure, not Test status

So what if Kenya lost to India yesterday — they lost to a team that is far ahead of them in terms of ability, class, experience, and a ...

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So what if Kenya lost to India yesterday — they lost to a team that is far ahead of them in terms of ability, class, experience, and a team that has the best batsman in the world in Sachin Tendulkar, a super batting line-up, A pace attack at the top of its game and a much-improved fielding set-up. That they have made it so far is what should be lauded.

I think what countries like Kenya need is more exposure in one-day cricket; not a Test status.

In the same breath, I want to say that Bangladesh shouldn’t have been rushed into Test cricket. They should have been given a run in one-day cricket instead.

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Minnows haven’t done too badly in the limited opportunities they have had down the years, even in World Cups. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe both had credictable showings during their non-Test-playing days. In 1999, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan. Kenya stunned the West Indies in 1996 and Sri Lanka in this World Cup. Kenya, in fact, have actually won 15 ODIs in the last four years!

There has been a lot of debate on the participation of so many small teams in this World Cup. I am glad that the ICC has finally decided to hold a World Cup Qualifying Series amongst it’s 27 affiliate and 47 associate members. In addition, the ICC Trophy will also be held every two years, from which the four best teams will participate in future World Cups.

Most of these member countries are ignorant about the intricacies of the game, and that could be one of the biggest benefits to come out of the ICC plan. They do not have any infrastructure for cricket, which means that they have to start from scratch.

Which begs the question: Can the ICC provide finance for such infrastructure?

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Equally importantly, how does the ICC go about making the locals in these countries interested in cricket? There are no legends like Bradman or Gavaskar or Richards for folklores to develop around, or for kids to make role models. The minnows’ teams for the ongoing World Cup are made up of players who are professionals from other walks of life. Cricket does not pay for their bread. It’s a hobby for them. And a passion. But that alone can’t take them up to the level of the big boys.

The ICC should allow, say, four professional players from Test-playing countries to play for them. As it is, most of these teams are made up of expats from cricketing countries, especially of the subcontinent. There is a lot of surplus Test material available in these cricketing countries, and they could be used for this purpose.

However, the minnows, like I said earlier, must play against the senior countries a lot more. At least 20 ODIs a year. That is what the ICC should do instead of granting Test status, simply to strengthen their vote bank.