Increase the number of teams in International cricket

1st half of the South Africa and Ireland match was dominated by the Ireland when they reduce Proteas to 105-5 but Duminy came to the rescue and took the Proteas score, past 250. Ireland clearly lacked the experience and that showed in their performance when Duminy took on their bowlers and put Proteas in good position. Had Ireland played more International cricket then they could have easily tackled that situation but lack of exposure in International cricket proved costly to them and this is not the situation of only Ireland. I think all the minnows playing in this World Cup suffering due to lack exposure on International level. Netherlands and Canada showed that they have the potential and only thing they require to compete hard with big boys of cricket is exposure at International level.

At this moment ICC has 105 members: 10 Full Members that play official Test matches, 35 Associate Members, and 60 Affiliate Members. I think ICC must identify 20 members  from these 95 members who are having domestic structure in place or playing active cricket.After identifying these 20 nations ICC have to give them test status. These 20 countries have to play each other in ODIs and Test Matches which is specifically designed for them. Their test matches should be of 4 days and that will give them ideal exposure to International Cricket like arena. ICC can take a leaf out Indian domestic structure and have to organise similar kind of tournament for the identified 20 members and this will help these minnows in developing cricketing culture in their respective countries. Although ICC have many tournaments for associated and affiliated members but that is not working well as most of the countries play cricket at amateur level. So ICC must try something similar to Ranji Trophy in order to spread and develop cricket globally. Ranji Trophy format is ideal for the ICC to adopt  and implement at associate and affiliate level. Formats like Ranji Trophy will  also increase the skills, temperament and stamina of the players of these small teams and they will be able to compete hard in big ICC tournaments and can even think of winning also. This will also give the financial security to the players of these associate and affiliate countries as they will be playing cricket regularly and in more professional way. So they will not leave the cricket for earning their bread. 

Currently there are 27 teams playing in Ranji Trophy tournament in India. Starting with the 2002–03 season, the zonal system was abandoned and a two-division structure was adopted: the Elite Group and the Plate Group. For the 2006–07 season, the divisions were re-labelled the Super League and Plate League respectively.

The Super League is divided into two groups of eight and seven teams, while the Plate League is divided into two groups of six teams each. In both divisions, the top two teams from each group advance to the knock-out phase. The finalists from the Plate League are promoted to the Super League the next year while the two teams at the bottom of the Super League are relegated.

New Ranji format from 2008–09 season, the top two Plate teams join three teams each from the two groups in the Super League to play a knock-out from the quarter-final stage. The new format, thus, gives a relegated side realistic chance of winning the title.

Points summary

Points in the league stages of both divisions are awarded as follows:

Scenario	Points
Win Outright	5
Bonus Point (for innings and 10 wicket wins)	1
1st Innings Lead	3 *
No Result	1
1st Innings Deficit	1 *
Lost Outright	0

note^* – If match ends in a draw.

In Ranji Trophy whoever emerge as  winner get the chance to play against Rest of India in Irani Trophy. In the same way out of 20 associate teams, whoever emerge as winner must get the chance to play atleast one test series and one ODI series against bottom 2 ranked  test playing teams for next two years and if their performance remains consistent then ICC must promote that team to the league of top test playing nations. ICC must give chance to top 3 associate teams of that tournament to play in atleast 2  ODI triangular series and 2 ODI bilateral series with top test playing nations in a year and this will help these minnows in a big way to develop their cricketing skills according to the demand of International cricket. More they play at International level, more beneficial it will be for these teams as well as ICC. 

I think these measures definitely develop cricket globally and ICC associate and affiliated teams will get the exposure to International Cricket and this will also increase the teams  in World Cricket and also help the teams like Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, UAE,etc. to grow in International cricket.

Preview: Super Sunday of Group B in ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

It is  Super Sunday tomorrow as double header is in offering for the Cricket Lovers in World Cup.

England will take on South Africa in the morning.   

Looking at the first match between South Africa and England this is going to be a crucial match from  England's perspective after their drubbing against Ireland at Bengaluru. England's major problem is their bowling which has not come good on most occasions in this World Cup. England gave more than 300 runs per match they played so far and out of 3 matches they played 2 matches were against minnows like Netherland and Ireland. So big problem ahead for the England in a match against South Africa which possess superb batting line-up and all their batsmen must be licking their bats to go after hapless English bowlers. Strauss is having plenty of problems going into this must win match. Fielding of the English team is also not upto the mark as they are dropping catches like kids. England have to thank Billy Bowden for their lucky escape against India but that will not happen everyday and England have to play out of their skin to beat Proteas. Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower have to come out with new plan to counter Proteas. England problems get worse as they have to play in Chennai which will going to be a turner and Proteas possess 3 spinners in their ranks and spin is the biggest enemy of the English battng. Tough times ahead of Strauss & Co.

Proteas are currently leading the Group B table and looks invincible. From Amla and DeVilliers are in great nick and batting looks very good as they possess one of the best batting line-up in the world which includes star batsmen like Jacques Kallis. Although Proteas have great batting line-up but they have to be careful against Greame Swann who is having lot of success against them.Proteas won both their matches convincingly and go into this match to strike the hat-trick of victories. Proteas are the best bowling side in the tournament in terms of pace and accuracy. They have great variation in their bowling department. They have two terrific opening fast bowlers in Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and they possess great spin weapons in leg-spinner Imran Tahir, left-arm spinner Robin Peterson and off-spinner Johan Botha and they are playing on one of the biggest turner in India. Fielding is the Proteas biggest asset and I must say Proteas starts as favourites to win this game. 

India will take on confident Ireland in afternoon.

India will take on Ireland in the afternoon at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. This match was not rated very high till last week but suddenly this match becomes very important and big for Team India because Ireland is coming in this match after causing big upset of the tournament as they beat England at the same venue. Ireland chased down mammoth score of 300 in that match and stunned England by winning it convincingly. Kevin O'Brien was their star in that match who scored fastest century of the World Cup as he scored 50 ball 100 against England and won the match single-handedly for Ireland. 

India's bowling woes continues in this tournament so far as they have also given average 300 runs in both the matches they played so far like England. But I must say bowling is not that bad as it is presented because India played both their matches on placid wickets and they were also unlucky as far as umpiring decisions are concerned. India will certainly play 3 fast bowlers in this match as Ashish Nehra is declared fit and Piyush Chawla will pay price for the two sixes hit by Bresnan on his bowling in the match against England which resulted in tie. India have to improve their fielding drastically if they want to advance further in the tournament. So far fielding is the weakest point of Team India and thats why bowlers also look ordinary if they are not backed by the fielding. Indian captain MS Dhoni have to show aggression in the field placing rather than setting defensive field and allow the opposition batsmen to rotate the strike which eventually reduce the pressure. MS Dhoni is making same mistake again and again and he has to learn big lesson from the last match when he was forced to bring the field in due to batting Power Play taken by England and immediately Team India got the grip of the match as they picked up 3 wickets due to forced attacking field. Indian batting is in top form but they have to be careful against Ireland because you never know when you will hit on the face by minnows also like Strauss and Co. hit badly by Ireland in last match. I think India must promote Yusuf Pathan in this match who was deprived of long batting stint in last tow matches. Bowling of Ireland will certainly suit very much to Pathan's batting style.

As far Ireland is concerned they don't think much about the quarter-finals or semi-finals. They will not going to lose anything even they lose this match because they are be under-dogs in this match. Ireland will try and repeat their heroics of last match and if that happens then India will come into tremendous pressure. Irish side defeated Pakistan in last World Cup. They defeated England in this World Cup and they will be hoping to beat India as well. Brien brothers and Mooney will certainly create lot of problems for India. Irish side is also very good fielding unit and they will certainly give their 100 percent in the field in-order to beat India. Remember Irish team  don't have any pressure going into this match and that will play crucial role in the outcome of this match because India will be under-pressure from the word go in this match. India have to take this match very seriously and have to beat Irish side convincingly. 

Kevin O'Brien(Star of Ireland victory over England)

Pitch will going to be belter at the Chinnaswamy Stadiium and this match will definitely turn out to be a high-scoring match like the previous two matches. So Super Sunday is going to offer tow mouth-watering games and it will going to be a great treat for the cricket lovers.

Kangaroos take on KIwis and Bangla Tigers face Ireland

2 matches will be played tomorrow. First encounter will between  old neighbours Australia and New Zealand. If we talk about these two countries on the basis of form then I believe Australia will have upper-hand in this encounter and looks good to register easy win over New Zealand. In ICC ODI  Rankings, Australia is currently No.1 team and New Zealand is sitting at No.7 spot. So difference between the two teams is huge. In fact recent performances of both the teams also justify their positions as Australia coming to this tournament with comprehensive ODI series win over England at home while New Zealand lost their home-series against Pakistan. But one thing is common between both the teams, both teams have defeated their opponents in their respective opening matches. Australia defeated Zimbabwe and New Zealand defeated Kenya.

Australia looks far more dangerous than New Zealand at the moment and favourites to win the contest as they possess two deadly fast bowlers in Lee and Tait while their other bowlers in Johnson and Bollinger also bowling well and bowling with reasonable pace and accuracy. Australia is lacking in spin department as they have only Jason Krejza to survive with. If talking about Australian batting then I must say except Shane Watson none of their top batsmen are in good form. Haddin, Ponting, Clarke, Fergusson, White, David Hussey,  all struggling for runs and they are badly missing services of Mike Hussey who was their mainstay in middle-order but unfortunately out of the World Cup because of injury. But make no mistake Australia can beat any team in the world even with the half team.

Squad:

Ricky Ponting(Captain), Michael Clarke(Vice-Captain), Shane Watson, Steve Smith, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Cameroon White, Brad Haddin(WK), Tim Paine(WK), Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, John Hastings. Tim Nielsen(Coach)

New Zealand's situation is very bad at the moment. They lost last 3 ODI series in a row and looks completely out of sorts. Although they won their opening match against Kenya convincingly but that cannot hide their weak links. They are clearly struggling but good thing for them is their bowling. Southee, Bennett and Vettori makes formidable bowling attack and if their batsmen score few runs then I feel they can win any game and can advance to semis as well. Form of Ross Taylor is big worry for New Zealand. He is their star batsmen and its important that he hits the form if New Zealand have to make some impact in the tournament. At the moment Taylor is having few technical flaws against spin which he needs to rectify immediately if he wants to do well on sub-continent pitches. He has to play on front -foot and have to use his feet if he wants to hit the sub-lime form.  Overall Kiwi batting is bit dodgy and they rely heavily on Guptill and McCullum to give them good start, if both openers will give them good start then I feel Kiwis can post or chase any total.

Squad:

Daniel Vettori(Captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum(WK), Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock, Kyle Mills. John Wright(Coach)

Another encounter will be between Bangla Tigers and minnows Ireland. Here I think Bangladesh will have upper hand because they are playing at home and nowadays they are very capable team atleast at home. They did very well in their opening match against India where they almost chased the huge Indian total. Situation will be different against Ireland and I believe Bangla spinners will not allow Ireland's batting to score too many runs. 

Bangla batting is in great form as Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes have become more than reliable openers for them in the shorter version of the format. As far as Ireland is concerned I must say they will gain good experience of playing in sub-continent but cannot win many matches but one cannot deny upsets. So important match for Bangladesh to stay in hunt for quarter-finals.

Squad:

Shakib Al Hasan(Captain), Tamim Iqbal(Vice-Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim(WK), Abdur Razzak, Naeem Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Imrul Kayes, Raqibul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Junaid Siddique, Mahmuddulah, Mohammad Ashraful, Shafiul Islam, Shahriar Nafees, Suhrawadi Shuvo. Jamie Siddons(Coach)

Squad:

William Porterfield(Captain), Niall O'Brien(WK), Gary Wilson(WK), Kevin O'Brien John Mooney, Ed Joyce, Nigel Jones, Andrew White, Albert Van Der Merwe, TrentJohnston, George Dockrell, Paul Stirling, Alex Cusack, Boyd Rankin, Andre Botha. Phil Simmons(Coach)

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Teams Groups and Squads

Groups and Teams:

Group A		Group B
	Australia		India
	Pakistan		South Africa
	New Zealand		England
	Sri lanka		West Indies
	Zimbabwe		Bangladesh
	Canada		Ireland
	Kenya		Netherlands

Squads:
Group A

Ricky Ponting(Captain), Michael Clarke(Vice-Captain), Shane Watson, Steve Smith, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Cameroon White, Brad Haddin(WK), Tim Paine(WK), Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, John Hastings. Tim Nielsen(Coach)

B.Haddin(WK),  B.Lee, T.Nielsen(Coach), C.White, D.Bollinger, D.Hussey.J.Hastings, M.Clarke(VC), Mitchell Johnson, M.Hussey, N.Hauritz, R.Ponting(C), S.Smith, S.Tait, S.Watson, T.Paine(WK)

 Misbah Ul Haq(Captain), Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal(WK), Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Abdul Razzaq,  Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal, Ahmed Shehzad. Waqar Younis(Coach)

A.Razzaq,  A.Rehman, A.Shehjad, A.Shafiq, K.Akmal(WK), M.Haq(C), M.Hafeez, S.Ajmal, S.Afridi, S.Akhtar, S.Tanvir, U.Akmal, U.Gul, W.Younis(Coach), W.Riaz, Y.Khan

Daniel Vettori(Captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum(WK), Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock, Kyle Mills. John Wright(Coach)

B.McCullum(WK), D.Vettori(C), H.Bennett, J.Oram, J.Franklin, J.How, J.Ryder, J.Wright(Coach), K.Williamson, K.Mills, L.Woodcock, M.Guptill, N.McCullum, R.Taylor, S.Styris, T.Southee.

Kumar Sangakkara(Captain/WK), Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Mahela Jayawardene(Vice-Captain), Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chamara Kapugedara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thisara Perera, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Tillakratane Dilshan. Trevor Bayliss(Coach)

A.Mendis, A.Mathews, C.Kapugedara, C.Silva, D.Fernando, K.Sangakkara(C/WK), L.Malinga, M.Jayawardene(VC), M.Muralitharan, N.Kulasekara, R.Herath, T.Perera, T.Samaraweera, T.Dilshan, T.Bayliss(Coach), U.Tharanga

Elton Chigumbara(Captain), Regis Chakabva, Charles Coventry, Greame Cremer, Chris Mpofu, Ray Price, Ed Rainsford, Tatenda Taibu(WK), Craig Ervine, Sean Ervine, Greg Lamb, Shingirai Masakadza, Brendon Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams. Alan Butcher(Coach)

A.Butcher(Coach), B.Taylor, C.Coventry, C.Mpofu, C.Ervine, E.Rainsford, E.Chigumbara(C), G.Cremer, G.Lamb, P.Utseya, R.Price, R.Chakabva, S.Ervine, S.Williams, S.Masakadza, T.Taibu(WK)

Ashish Bagai(Captain/WK), Rizwan Cheema(Vice-Captain), Jimmy Hansra, Khurram Chohan, Harvir Baidwan, Balaji Rao, Nitish Kumar, John Davison, Henry Osinde, Parth Desai, Hiral Patel, Tyson Gordon, Zubin Surkari, Ruvindu Gunasekara, Karl Whatham, Hamza Tariq. Pubudu Dassanayake(Coach)

A.Bagai(C/WK), B.Rao, H.Tariq, H.Baidwan, H.Osinde, H.Patel, J.Hansra, J.Davison, K.Whatham, K.Chohan, N.Kumar, P.Desai, P.Dassanayake(Coach), R.Cheema(VC), R.Gunasekara, T.Gordon, Z.Surkari

Jimmy Kamande(Captain), Thomas Odoyo, Tanmay Mishra, Peter Ongondo, James Ngoche, Elijah Otieno, Shem Ngoche, Maurice Ouma(WK), Rakep Patel, Steve Tikolo, Seren Waters, Alex Obanda, Collins Obuya, David Obuya(WK), Nehemiah Odhiambo. Eldin Baptiste(Coach)

A.Obanda, C.Obuya, D.Obuya(WK), E.Baptiste(Coach), E.Otieno, J.Ngoche,  J.Kamande(C), M.Ouma(WK), N.Odhiambo, P.Ongondo, R.Patel, S.Water, S.Ngoche, S.Tikolo, T.Mishra, T.Odoyo

Group B

Mahendra Singh Dhoni(Captain/WK), Virender Sehwag(Vice-Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel. Gary Kirsten(Coach)

A.Nehra, G.Gambhir, G.Kirsten(Coach), H.Singh, M.Dhoni(C/WK),M.Patel, P.Chawla, P.Kumar, R.Ashwin. S.Raina, S.Tendulkar, V.Kohli, V.Sehwag, Y.Pathan, Y.,Singh, Z.Khan

Greame Smith(Captain), Hashim Amla, Jacque Kallis, AB DeVilliers(WK), Morne Van Wyk(WK), Jean-Paul Duminy, Collin Ingram, Faf DuPlessis, Johan Botha, Robin Peterson, Imran Tahir, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell. Corrie Van Zyl(Coach)

A.DeVilliers(WK), C.Ingram, C.Van Zyl(Coach), D.Steyn,F.DuPlessis, G.Smith(C), H.Amla, I.Tahir, J.Botha, J.Kallis, J.Duminy, L.Tsotsobe, M.VanWyk(WK), M.Morkel, R.Peterson, W.Parnell

Andrew Strauss(Captain), Matt Prior(WK), Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright, Greame Swann, Jonathon Trott, James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, James Tredwell, Stuart Broad, Ajmal Shahjad, Michael Yardy. Andy Flower(Coach)

A.Shahzad, A.Strauss(C), A.Flower(Coach), E.Morgan, G.Swann, I.Bell, J.Anderson,  J.Tredwell, J.Trott,  K.Pietersen, L.Wright, M.Prior(WK), M.Yardy, P.Collingwood, S.Broad, T.Bresnan

Darren Sammy(Captain), Carlton Baugh(WK), Adrian Barath, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo,  Keiron Pollard, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ravi Rampaul, Nikita Miller, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Sulieman Benn, Devon Smith. Ottis Gibson(Coach)

A.Barath, A.Russell, C.Baugh(WK), C.Gayle, D.Sammy(C), D.Smith, DJ.Bravo, DM. Bravo, K.Pollard, K.Roach, N.Miller, O.Gibson(Coach), R.Rampaul, R.Sarwan, S.Benn, S.Chanderpaul

Shakib Al Hasan(Captain), Tamim Iqbal(Vice-Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim(WK), Abdur Razzak, Naeem Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Imrul Kayes, Raqibul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Junaid Siddique, Mahmuddulah, Mohammad Ashraful, Shafiul Islam, Shahriar Nafees, Suhrawadi Shuvo. Jamie Siddons(Coach)

A.Razzak, I.Kayes, J.Siddique, J.Siddons(Coach), M.Ashraful, M.Rahim(WK), Mahmudullah, N.Hossain, N.Islam, R.Hasan, R.Hossain, S.Hasan(C), S.Islam, S.Nafees, S.Shuvo, T.Iqbal

William Porterfield(Captain), Niall O'Brien(WK), Gary Wilson(WK), Kevin O'Brien John Mooney, Ed Joyce, Nigel Jones, Andrew White, Albert Van Der Merwe, Trent Johnston, George Dockrell, Paul Stirling, Alex Cusack, Boyd Rankin, Andre Botha. Phil Simmons(Coach)

A.Botha, A.Cusack, A.Van Der Merwe, A.White, B.Rankin, Ed Joyce, G.Dockrell, G.Wilson(WK), J.Mooney,  K.O'Brien, N.Jones, N.O'Brien, P.Simmons(Coach), P.Stirling, T.Johnston, W.Porterfield(C)

Peter Borren(Captain), Wesley Barresi(WK), Atse Buurman(WK), Bradley Kruger, Adeel Raja, Bernard Loots, Pieter Seelar, Mudassar Bukhari, Eric Szwarczynski, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Tom Cooper, Berend Westdijk, Tom De Grooth, Bas Zuiderent, Alexel Kervezee. Peter Drinnen(Coach)

A.Buurman(WK), A.Kervezee, A.Raja, B.Kruger, B.Loots, B.Westdijk, B.Zuiderent, E.Szwarcynski, M.Bukhari, P.Borren(C), P.Drinnen(Coach), P.Seelar, R.Doeschate, T.Cooper, T.DeGrooth, W.Barresi(WK)

All the above teams will feature in ICC Cricket World Cup2011. Details Includes Players , Captains and Coaches