International cricket has a rather archaic hierarchical system. Only 12 countries are allowed to play Test cricket – the sport’s longest and most prestigious format.
These teams – deemed the best cricket countries – are categorized as Full Members, according to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rather elitist structure.
It is tough to gain full membership. Only three countries - Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland - have been granted the coveted status in more than 25 years. Teams below the top tier are Associate member nations – they get less funding than the elite 12 and fewer opportunities to play against the best.
Only 20 teams currently hold One-Day International status and a mere 10 teams featured in last year’s World Cup. Those not qualifying missed out on a windfall – a prime example being Scotland losing out on the $1 million qualifying fee and potential sponsorship funds of $200,000-300,000.
Associates cricket is cut-throat. Magnified during the tumult of the coronavirus pandemic, which has thrown the sport into chaos and exposed the grim finances of supposedly wealthy cricket nations.
For 12th ODI ranked Netherlands, a leading Associates nation and the best cricket country on mainland Europe, it has been a bitter pill to swallow. This year promised so much marked by being part of the 16-team T20 World Cup starting in October in Australia, which is now under a cloud.
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