A few days ago, I mentioned that the Scotland-Holland ODI in Aberdeen was not, NOT, part of the ICC Intercontinental Cup one day series. Well, it turns out it was. I am seriously so confused these days when it comes to the Associates, and I am convinced, CONVINCED, that the ICC left them out of the 2015 World Cup purely because of how…difficult…the Associates are.
For those new to the game, there are several levels of status in World Cricket. There are the Test Nations – those countries with full member status. These are nations that have proven over many years that they are capable of playing the game at the highest possible level. England, India, Australia…etc.
The Associates, on the other hand, are nations with lesser developed programs. Nations such as Ireland, the Netherlands, Afghanistan, Canada…etc.
Then there are the Affiliates (Nepal, Thailand, Uganda, the USA…etc).
The associates and the affiliates all play in various tournaments which I am not, NOT, going to explain again (yes, I have used that meme three times now, so what?) with the ultimate goal of becoming full member nations and playing tests against England at Lord’s, getting backstage passes to Take That at Wembley, being able to get away with high fashion sunglasses in the field, and of course getting lots of followers on Twitter.
Despite the fact that I did want to point out that the match in the title of this post actually does not take place until tomorrow, I really do not want to talk about the Associates for a very long time. I write about them far too much in this blog.
I will say, though, that the ICC are idiots for trimming the t20 World Cup. Serious, fucking, idiots.
In other world cricketing news, Sri Lanka have simply hammered England in the last
(hold on, I am watching Mexico-Chile in the Copa America and goodness that was a beautiful goal from Mexico. one of the best headers I have seen in a very long time. who scored that? will he sign for Arsenal? of course he won’t.)
(I am watching it online on Univision, the commentary is in Spanish. Seriously, it is not very multi-cultural for me to say this, but the GOOOAAALL (ad nauseum) call when a team scores is the most annoying thing in world sport. full stop. otherwise I almost prefer the commentary, it is easier to tune out).
hammered England in the last two ODIs. There are calls for almost everyone in the entire squad to be dropped, taken out, and shot. But despite the moaning, I bet the squad will unchanged on Wednesday in Nottingham. Again, I plan, PLAN on waking up early to catch a few overs. This is something I really need to start making happen. For England’s sake, hopefully it is damp, as the whole “Sri Lanka can’t play in the cold and wet” theory has legs.
That’s it for now. I am hoping, HOPING, that there will be time to write tomorrow. (Yes, that was on purpose).
Oh, I did want to mention how cool I think it is that the Friend’s Life t20 uses the quaint old grounds for their matches. Today, for instance, Sussex played at the Whitgift School ground. I love that when I go on my cricket-bicycle-pub-crawl, I will barely have to leave London, and I will still get to see so many wonderful grounds.
Blog resolution: more about county cricket, less about the Associates.
Until tomorrow.
Limited Overs 