Agree with him 100%. These teams of cricket hobbyists only serve to dilute the tempo and enthusiasm that builds up during big tournaments…much like speed-breakers…
Neither does this help to popularize the game in these countries. The teams are mostly made of expatriates who were B-grade cricketers in their native country. Just note the number of deshi names figuring in the Hong Kong team for example…Wonder how many native americans know that they actually have a cricket team (assuming they know that there is a game called Cricket ofcourse).
At best, these weaklings should only play against each other till they raise their game to the big-league level.
People will argue…didn’t the British bring Cricket to India…
yes true…but to expect that a handful of expatriates will inspire the natives to take up Cricket is very far-fetched in today’s world…and unlike the Britishers…Indians dont rule USA or for that matter Hong Kong or Namibia.
So I say, just like IFF will not have India play Brazil in soccer (to popularize soccer in India)…so please spare us another Australia-US match…
Each group contained one "weak" team. Its just too bad that USA couldn't even hold Aus for 100 odd runs, but the other weak teams, namely Kenya, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are supposed to provide a warm-up practice match to the biggies. After warming up, the biggies will clash with each other. Kinda like a ramp-up to the big game. It is no surprise that all the four big games in league stage are at the end, and the 8 mis-matched games are all up front.
