Sport

Porterfield challenges ICC boss Richardson to outline vision for world cricket

‘If his vision for the game is to shrink it and make as much money for the top few nations as possible, then come out and say that.’

Ireland captain William Porterfield celebrates with team-mate Gary Wilson after scoring a century in the World Cup game against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters
Ireland captain William Porterfield celebrates with team-mate Gary Wilson after scoring a century in the World Cup game against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters
Fri Mar 27 2015 - 15:48

Ireland captain William Porterfield has challenged International Cricket Council chief executive Dave Richardson to come clean on his vision for the future of international cricket and the 50 overs World Cup.

Richardson confirmed that the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales is likely to see just 10 teams in action compared to the 14 that took part in the present event.

Ireland will still have a chance to qualify, although the task will be significantly tougher with just two teams making it through from qualifying event in Bangladesh in 2018 that will include the two lowest-ranked Test-playing nations.

Porterfield fears that the direction the ICC are taking the game will affect not just established sides such as Ireland and Afghanistan, but also many aspiring nations.

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“It’s almost getting to the stage of ‘what’s the point?’ for a lot of the teams,” Porterfield told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“If you keep closing the door, they can’t get on to the world stage. I’d like to know what his [\Richardson’s] vision for the game is.

“It’s not just Ireland here – we’re talking about a global game.

“This is the International Cricket Council. If his vision for the game is to shrink it and make as much money for the top few nations as possible, then come out and say that.

“It’s frustrating when we keep doing everything that’s asked of us by the ICC, and then they keep slapping you in the face with decisions like this.”

Porterfield believes the ICC are intent on running a competition for ‘members only’ rather than a proper World Cup if it presses ahead with streamlining plans.

“It’s a decision that not only I but a lot of other people completely disagree with.

“If you look at any other sport around the world, they’re looking to expand and develop.

“The way the ICC are going . . . they don’t seem to be doing that really.

“Cutting teams is not the way forward. It’s only full members, pretty much, they’re giving the opportunities to, it may as well be a members’ cup, as opposed to a World Cup.”

Porterfield believes that Ireland’s performances over the years should be taken into consideration when looking at future events .

“Nobody wants to see the favourites just go out there and dominate a competition.

“I think how we’ve done, and what we’ve shown over the last few years, merits a place at the World Cup, but the ICC just seem to be shutting doors in your face really.

“The last four years between World Cups, we’ve played nine games against top-10 teams. Even if we’d won every single game we played, we still can’t break in, so that’s what we’re up against.”