So We've been hearing a lot about new nations making their marks in cricket. Well I for one am happy about this. There is a sporting Cold War happening right now, and if Cricket is to survive at all, we'll need to win against Baseball. So here are my top picks for nations to look out for in the near future whether as One Day sides or even Test sides.
(In order from least potential to most)
10. China
China holds a special place in my heart after having worked there and played cricket there, but the new development program they've taken up is more than just expats playing in the summer. China probably won't reach one-day status for a long time, though they say they'll get Test status in 10. Still, the discipline and tenacity in which China puts its athletes through is threatening enough let alone what they'll be able to do on the pitch. Their big premiere as a side will be in the next ACC Twenty20 and the Asian Games in Guangzhou where cricket will be premiering as a sport.
Here is a video from the ICC on Chinese cricket development: http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/media_interactive_zone/broadcast_video.php?mediaId=876
9. Uganda/Papua New Guinea
These two teams may still be in the World Cricket League, but Uganda's run in the WC Qualifiers in South Africa and first class match
against Bermuda in August 2009 and PNG's performances at senior and U-19 levels show promise in these nations.
Both nations sent sides to the U-19 WC qualifiers in Toronto this past summer, with PNG qualifying. The most significant aspect of these sides is that the teams are homegrown and interest grows as well. With more development in these sides, Associate status could come in the next five years.
8. United Arab Emirates
Despite poor performances against Full Members in 2008's Asia Cup and not qualifying for the 2011 WC, the UAE still show promise. Seeing as the ICC is based in Dubai, it is inevitable that more and more development and interest will be drawn up as seen from the crowds that attend Dubai matches and the influx of migrants from Test nations. Also with people like England All-Rounder Andrew Flintoff
showing interests in coaching, things could get interesting very soon.
7. Netherlands
They've beaten England, but that was Twenty20. They've qualified for the World Cup three times, but perform poorly. They are the Dutch and they are a mystery in cricket.
The strongest continental side in Europe, the Netherlands has a long cricketing history and cult-like status among its followers. It has class players like Ryan ten Doeschate, who plays in the English County system as well, but is also losing its seniors players like long time captain Jeroen Smit, who retired in order to hand the reigns over for the next WC squad leader. I'd say for Dutch cricket to prosper, more fixtures and a higher interest must be obtained.
6. Afghanistan
The embodiment of the Spirit of Cricket, Afghanistan are a side who blasted their way out of obscurity to become a powerful One-Day side, both in Senior and U-19 levels. They moved up from Division 5 to Division 1 in just one year and without even a stadium or cricket academy. A full cricket board has been set up and with their success in the WC qualifier, despite not having qualified, they have their nation's support alongside. They have also shown their strength as a one-day and first class side against the Netherlands in a series that seemed to evenly matched somewhat, but definitely leaning towards the Afghanis. Led by Nowroz Mangal, the Afghanistan boys will have another opportunity to make an impression at the ACC Twenty20. If any side is going to achieve higher status in the near future it is them.
5. Canada
If the ICC were smart, they'd pour more money into this blossoming cricket nation. They have a developing domestic circuit and a fairly large pool of players to draw from. The diversity of their team is a major asset and it has shown in recent performances in the WC qualifier in SA and their matches against the Netherlands and Kenya. They have experience playing major sides, particularly when they hosted West Indies, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in 2008. And who can forget their victory over Bangladesh in the 2003 WC?
Players like Rizwan Cheema and captain Ashish Bagai have official contracts, which shows the Canadian board means business. The U-19 side is also fairly strong, so there is a youth pool also readily available. Canada's cricketing has been delivered a bad blow recently though with the exit of long time sponsors Scotia bank. Money seems to big a big thing holding Canada back.
4. United States of America
The Biggest question of them all: What about the Americans? Well My prediction is that the USA will be one of the big ODI competitors in the next three years... that is if they can get their acts together. USA's cricket has organizationally been a joke in the past with its vulnerability to infighting and poor treatment of funds and players. However a new dawn has emerged and the USACA has gotten a major face lift. For one, the new Chief Exec of the board is an American, yes an American, and he has more experience than one could ask for.
Don Lockerbie, who played no cricket in his youth, has taken on his role with the same ambitions as Obama, but for American cricket. He has promised (and has delivered) that the major cricket facility in Lauderhill, Florida is maintained and used for US Domestic and international matches.
He has even proposed a new stadium to be built in Indianapolis, Indiana to help gain support from non-expatriate communities.
On top of that, the US team has a lot of skill. With players showing talent especially at the U-19 level, and a major pool to draw from the US can be ensured that talented players will be utilized. It should take a hint from Canada though and start fixing up some contracts and securing sponsors if it wants to play with the big fishes.
3. Kenya
They have skilled players and a large fan base. They have competed in multiple world cups and the inaugural World T20. They even have a very well set up Domestic circuit. So why do they not perform against the major sides? That is unknown to me, all I can say though is that overall Kenya is one of the best Associate sides and with time they could make their way into the Test ranks, but not for a while...
2. Zimbabwe
Oh Zimbabwe! One of the most comedicly inconsistent sides in cricket, Zim sure know how to wow and not just in the good way. They are the team that
beat Australia in the 2007 World T20, but who were
all out for 44 in a one-dayer against Bangladesh just a month ago. Still, I (and many others) do believe that the team can return to Test cricket in the next few years. A new Domestic franchise system has been implemented based on the South African model, and plenty of fixtures have already been laid out. Players young and old have major talent from veterans like Ray Price and Tatenda Taibu to the dangerous spinner Graeme Cremer and batsman Forster Mutizwa and it is the balance of the two types of players in the side that can bring Zim back to the forefront.
1. Ireland
Last, but not least, is Ireland. The irish have made it loud and clear in recent weeks that they are aiming for Full member status in the next few years, and I believe they've got the skills to do it. There is really only one problem that the Irish Board will need to correct before the Irish can try their luck in the Test world - the ECB.
The English, I suppose struggling to find good players of their own, have now claimed two major Irish players as their own, and to my knowledge it will take a lot for the Irish to get them back. While the Irish have proved themselves strong without Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan, an Irish side with those two would be lethal.
Still, the Irish have a fighting spirit that is matched only by, perhaps, Afghanistan. They
beat Pakistan in the 2007 WC, made it to the second round of the 2009 World T20,
nearly beat England in the summer of 2009, and, of course, top the associate charts in all formats. It is time for a change in cricket and I believe the Irish will be the ones to bring it.
