An ICC press release issued today talked proudly about how 1.4 million people are now playing cricket in their associate & affiliate members. There are reasons to be sceptical about this figure, but even if it's true as the playing numbers are increasing, the opportunities for these players are - despite what the ICC are fond of saying - decreasing.
So if during the World Twenty20 Qualifier, or at any other time, you hear the phrase “more opportunities for associates” or any variation, just look at the following table:
| Event | Start of decade | End of decade |
|---|---|---|
| World Cup | 4 guaranteed places | 0 guaranteed places |
| ODI Rankings | 6 allowed to be on rankings | 2 allowed to be on rankings |
| World Twenty20 | 2 guaranteed places every two years | 6 places in preliminary round every four years |
| Intercontinental Cup | 14 matches per team in each four year period | 7 matches per team in each four year period |
| World Cricket League | 8 divisions | 6 divisions |
| Regional tournaments | Almost every country playing regional 50 over and/or 20 over cricket | 20 over cricket only in most regions and much fewer teams allowed to play |
More opportunities for associates? You be the judge.