Dutch says ICC''s move not in interest of associate nations

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) ICC''s decision to reduce thenumber of teams in the next World Cup has not got down wellwith the Netherlands cricket team, who said such a move willdeprive smaller nations the opportunity to play topinternational sides on a frequent basis.

The sport''s governing body recently decided to cut downon the number of participating teams from 14 to 10 in the 201550-over World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and NewZealand, and the move has already attracted criticism from anumber of associated nations including the Netherlands.

The Netherlands captain Peter Borren said the ICC''s movewas not in the best interest of the game.

"It is very important to play the Test playing nations ona regular basis. We have got just a few experienced playerslike Ryan (ten Doeschate). At this level most of us do nothave the kind of experience needed because we hardly play atop team. Before the World Cup we last played a full memberteam just once in the last 3-4 years," Borren said.

But no sooner the ICC announced its decision, theNetherlands, riding on Ryan ten Doeschate''s all-round heroics,gave a scare to England in their tournament opener. If not foran inexperienced bowling attack, the Dutch would have createdthe first upset of the ongoing World Cup on Tuesday.

Ten Doeschate scored a brilliant 119 in that match andthen scalped two wickets for 47 runs to almost floor theEnglishmen single handedly.

And as expected, he did not hide his disappointment overICC''s move, and even urged the game''s governing body toreconsider it''s decision.

"It is a major disappointment that we might not be in thenext World Cup. So, I think we really have to enjoy the fivegames that are left and at the same time, try and changeopinion of the ICC by playing good cricket," he said.

"If three teams can do well out of the associate teams inthe tournament, the ICC might consider and change itsdecision," an optimistic Ten Doeschate added.

Dutch coach Peter Drinnen has already vented his anger atthe decision and said the only way associate teams can proveICC wrong was by putting up some impressive performances inthe present tournament.

"It (the decision) is not in our hands. What we can do isprepare well and give the top teams a good fight in the comingmatches. It will encourage other teams to play us morefrequently," Drinnen said.