Editorial: Full Member Greed, CEO Conflict of Interest

Decent hearted cricket fans around the world are deeply disappointed that the ICC 2011 Cricket World Cup will be contested by only 14 nations instead of 16 as previously promised.

Sickeningly but not surprisingly, the ICC Chief Executives Committee have voted to cut two associate nations from the 2011 World Cup that will be co-hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Cricket is the only sport in the world that is openly discouraging countries from competing at it’s premier international event.

Soccer, baseball, rugby union, rugby league, basketball, field hockey and even ice hockey are expanding rapidly. It is the policy of these sporting organizations to showcase it’s newest members and to embrace the cultural diversity that different countries can bring to a major sporting event.

Meanwhile, cricket shoos away new countries like flies at a barbecue.

An Interview With PNG Cricket General Manager Andrew Knott

Papua New Guinea is perhaps one of cricket’s most exotic outposts. At the height of the season, thousands of cricketers, in villages and towns play the game in various shapes and forms. Some organized, some less formal.

In many areas cricket is the number one sport. Currently there are more players than facilities.

PNG probably has more hurdles to overcome than most associate nations if it is to become a top ten cricketing nation. Equipment needs to found. Facilities constructed. The issue of getting from one cricketing location to another is not to be underestimated in a country not noted for it’s highways and modern transportation systems. Sometimes the air is the best route between one town and another.

But PNG also has some fantastic advantages such as having a cricketing powerhouse on it’s doorstep.