Associates Stand Tall – reflections from WCQ Zimbabwe The scrap to gain qualification in the WC2019 is now over and two sides have emerged from the brutal battle in Zimbabwe.

For the 6 best Associate sides and 4 Full members this tournament has contained everything; tense tussles, heartache, high drama, tears of joy and pain, throughout this brilliant but ruthless event.

There has been lots of talk about DRS, DLS, no reserve days and the pitiful number of places reserved for cricket’s global showpiece, with only 10 teams contesting next year’s World Cup event. We all know that decision was made four years ago, and we can only trust the ICC will reflect on this event, assess and adjust these key decisions for the good of the global game.

Future decisions aside, I believe the ICC have an obligation right now to ensure our global game keeps surging forward on the back of this dramatically brilliant event here in Zimbabwe. The real issue for all Associate nations is what happens in between global events, more so than the heartache of missing qualification and no Associate nations being represented in the WC2019.

Catching up with all the coaches from the 10 teams here in Zimbabwe, every coach (Full members included) have seen dramatic improvements in performance from the Associate nations. I don’t believe the cricketing world needed proof of the skill and talent of the Associate teams, as over the past four years

Associate players have continued to put forward outstanding performances against Full member sides, while featuring regularly in the ICC top player rankings. If the West Indies were previously unaware of Associate player’s abilities, I’m sure they will go away from Zimbabwe encouraged and now conscious there are more than 10 teams in the world who are seriously good cricket nations.

Over the past four years I have seen Scotland and our fellow Associate teams, make significant surges forward during that time. There are no easy beats within the eight leading associates. Every team has excellent systems and quality staff supporting the players.

In Associate world every game, every series has something riding on it – points, qualification and ultimately funding for our organisations to survive, play cricket, grow the game and provide a professional structure around our talented players.

I have seen performances go to new levels here in Zimbabwe. The way that our own team have gone toe to toe with full members, adopting a hostile aggressive intent with bat, ball and fielding has been outstanding to see. We have seen Associate players be bold and brave in bringing full member skills and attitude to the contests, which have been exhilarating and such a powerful entertainment package to inspire the many fans, here and around the globe.

The progress we are seeing is because of one thing – funding to play cricket. Scotland are so grateful for the ICC’s support and that of our sponsors plus Sport Scotland. Without that support our players would have turned up in Zimbabwe on the back of training indoors in Edinburgh.

Instead we were supported with additional funding to have two tours to Dubai pre and post-Christmas. This enabled us to play matches, train and prepare professionally for such a big occasion here in Zimbabwe. I believe the return on that investment is plain to see and I am hugely proud of the performances from our Scotland players here, lead so boldly by our captain Kyle Coetzer.

From here Scotland have dipped into reserves to enable us to have 7 more days of cricket in June, but sadly that is all that our hard-working organisation can currently afford, and our players will be focusing primarily on club and Regional cricket in 2018.

In the last four years we have lost 10 key players (654 caps) who have moved onto other careers, largely because they could no longer afford to commit to playing cricket for Scotland. Of course, this has given our future stars earlier opportunities, which they are thriving upon. However, all Associate nations need the ability to retain their best players, having invested so heavily in those players throughout Performance Pathway systems.

Zimbabwe you have been amazing, and we share your pain of not qualifying for the big stage. A brilliantly hosted tournament and so well run. We have loved every minute of the opportunity here, the people, the spirit and vibrant energy of the fans.

On field the experiences here will forever live with our players and help push them to new levels of skill and consistency. Whatever the reasons for shrinking the world cup next year, we just hope the ICC do one thing for Associate nations.

Continue to provide the support for our players to play cricket. Our Associate coaches are all experienced and skilled at improving our players, but what our players need most, is to play.

Scotland currently play on average 30 days of meaningful cricket per year. Even if that could be lifted to 45, that would make an enormous difference. This would still be half of what a full member will play, but the current outstanding rate of improvement in Associate performance, will only rise.

We have a growing global game with more teams rapidly improving. The players here in Zimbabwe have showcased the game brilliantly, which we know from the incredible support received, has continued to inspire cricket lovers around the globe.