New Kids on the Block

[baggygreenmania]

The International Cricket Council has added four new teams to its ODI rankings..Scotland, Netherlands, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates.

The new teams join the 12 Test playing nations on the ODI list, which is headed by 2019 World Cup hosts England. The Dutch were awarded ODI status by winning the ICC World Cricket League Championship last year, while the other three nations as the three leading Associates in the 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifier.

This is great news for someone like the Netherlands which has been around the lower tier of international cricket for decades. Several Austalians have cut their international teeth with the Dutch..one being Tom Cooper who for some reason has never been chosen for his country of birth in limited overs cricket. The recognition of Nepal pleases me immensely. Have your say.

[The Third Man]

Scotland have improved a lot recently. A win over Sri Lanka last year and they were unlucky in the World Cup Qualifiers.

[baggygreenmania]

Scotland have improved a lot recently. A win over Sri Lanka last year and they were unlucky in the World Cup Qualifiers.

I watched the Scots in their World Cup qualifiers and they surprised and impressed me. The more countries playing elite cricket the better for our great sport . All four should be playing Test cricket within five years imho. I have one displeasure.. where are the other European nations. Why are they not making that next step?

[The Third Man]

I have one displeasure.. where are the other European nations. Why are they not making that next step?

Cricket never took off in the European mainland. Even in Ireland it has only awakened from a 100 year slumber. It is played in most countries though.Apart from Holland, I know Denmark have a team - they are coached by an ex-Irish international and one player, Freddie Klokker played County cricket for Derbyshire. I recall a few years ago, ex Aussie player Michael Di Venuto coming out of retirement to play for Italy.

All ICC members now at least have T20 status so maybe some more teams may emerge in the future

[Katto]

Netherlands is just a fallback option for Afrikaans who don't get selected for South Africa
Pretty much all their players are a foreign legion of expats

[Going South]

UAE is added as a paid entry and money making cricket stadium rather than for skills.

[raja]

UAE is added as a paid entry and money making cricket stadium rather than for skills.

True.
The cricket-crazy expat Indian-Pakistani-Bangladeshi-Sri Lankan crowd in the UAE will ensure full success of every match hosted in the UAE.
The Sharjah tournament was a huge commercial success till it got clouded by fixing allegations.