South Africa’s assistant coach Adrian Birrell has become the latest person to call on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reverse their decision to cut the number of teams at the next World Cup to 10.
The performances of the associate nations at the ongoing World Cup has led to widespread criticism of the ICC’s decision to limit the number of teams for future editions, claiming it will harm the expansion of cricket.
Ireland in particular have impressed in Australia and New Zealand, with an opening win over West Indies demonstrating their progress.
Birrell, who coached Ireland for four years from 2007 to 2011, said the non-Test playing nation had come a long way since his time with them.
“It’s definitely not fair to kick them out,” he said ahead of Tuesday’s Pool B clash between South Africa and Ireland at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.
“Just look at their record. They’ve continually knocked down the door and they keep getting shut out.
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“They are angry and I understand that. I think it’s a driving factor for them and makes them play even harder to prove full-member teams wrong.
“When I started in Ireland there was probably one or two players who were fully professional, now they’re all professionals.
“They punch above their weight and I am not surprised at all. Every World Cup they seem to beat a full-member team.”
Ireland knocked Pakistan out on their World Cup debut in 2007, defeated England four years later and have already beaten the West Indies in the ongoing tournament.
“They are a seriously good team and we are taking them very seriously,” he said.
Indeed, India captain MS Dhoni made similar comments following his team’s victory over the UAE on Saturday.
“You want cricket to become a global sport when it comes to participation,” he said.
“Rather than looking at it from a commercial point of view, we have to make sure where there is the existence of the sport that it keeps on increasing there.
“Then have a look at other countries where there is the prospect of playing cricket.
“Overall, I think it is a win-win situation. But, most of all, it is to make sure if there is fire anywhere then it becomes a bushfire in terms of intensity.”
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