What is the possible way out to break the cycle of resurfacing and hibernation of Associate nations?
We witness associate nations coming into limelight perhaps once in every two years. They compete, either amongst themselves or with the test-playing nations, during the occurrence of big tournaments like World Cups and Asia Cups.They resurface during these tournaments followed by long hibernation from any competitive, cricket, again to resurface followed by hibernation and the vicious cycle continues. There are occasional matches, against the test-playing nations, a solitary match squeezed in when a major test-playing nation visit; neighbors of the associate nations.The dire state of affair for these budding cricketing nations, coupled with issues of fund cutting from the ICC makes the future look dark. Another regularity, similar to the vicious cycle of resurfacing and hibernation from competitive cricket for the associate nations, is their performances to upset and tumble a big cricketing nation and the out of their skin performances.We have several examples in the last 2-3 decades where an Associate Nation; was in good touch for a period of 5-6 years and was nowhere near its prime since it wasn’t provided with the support at the right time. So, what could be the reasons and the possible way out to break the vicious cycle of resurfacing and hibernation?Here are a few reasons and suggestions:
#1 Lack of more than one stars
Generally, not more than one or two publicly followed player plays for any of the associate teams. Ireland is yet to go beyond O’Brien brothers, Netherlands had Ten Doeschate and Dirk Nannes but lost them owing to lack international opportunities and Afghan team is yet to find a globally applauded superstar other than Mohammad Shahzad and Hamid Hassan.
All this would be different if the Associate Nations jump on the T20 Franchise tournament bandwagon. The success stories of Indian Premier League/Caribean Premier League/Big Bash League/GlamSham/T20 Blast is not new. Tournaments like the IPL have a cap of including not more than four foreign players in the playing XI. Why can’t one of these four be from the associate nations?
A rule of including, at least one player belonging to Associate Nations, would help in the development of the players. It is not hard to imagine how much Munis Ansari would gain in sharing the dugout with Lasith Malinga or how much Kevin O’Brien would absorb while playing along Kevin Pietersen. Would Mohammad Shahzad pick MSD’s brain on the helicopter shot or wicket keeping skills?