“Give Associate nations more opportunity to play against Full Members on a more regular basis” : Aaron Finch and Dale Steyn make calls to grow Cricket globally
The ongoing T20I World Cup in India and Sri Lanka has been one to remember for Associate nations. USA put the hosts India under the pump in their first match of the World Cup campaign, and the likes of Netherlands, Italy, Nepal have all almost managed to pull off big upsets.
However, the story of the tournament has been Zimbabwe who defeated Australia in their group stage encounter, and have booked a place in the Super Eight. Former Australian batter Aaron Finch, and former South African bowler Dale Steyn have made calls for ICC to give more opportunities to the Associate nations.
Dale Steyn stated that with the players from Associate nations already playing against the world’s best in domestic T20 Leagues, they are all but ready to take on the big teams on the International stage.
“Back in the day, players would go to the IPL to find that kind of experience… at almost an international level,” Steyn observed as quoted by Cricbuzz.
“Now in South Africa, it’s much the same. You’re rubbing shoulders with the likes of Phil Salt, Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan… that wasn’t happening before,” Steyn said.
Aaron Finch stated that he still believes International cricket is the pinnacle of the game, and he would like to see Associate nations play against Full Members on a more regular basis. Dale Steyn also added that Associate nations often only appear on the big stage during the World Cup, and disappear after that. \
“International cricket still [is] the pinnacle for me. I understand how hard it is getting because of so many T20 leagues popping up and all competing for the same space. But we have to find a way to continue to grow that game globally… giving Associate nations more opportunity to play against Full Members on a more regular basis,” Finch said.
“Everybody wants a piece of cricket and the problem is that somebody is going to fall short. And most of the time it’s the guys that need it most that fall short. And then when they come to these World Cups, then we can’t stop waxing lyrical at how good they are. But then for the next two, three years. We don’t see them anywhere,” Steyn said.
