adminMUMBAI. — International Cricket Council Chief Executive David Richardson predicted an open World Cup yesterday, saying the associate members are well-prepared to upset major teams in the tournament.Four second-tier nations —Afghanistan, Ireland, United Arab Emirates and Scotland — will join the 10 full members for the 11th edition of the tournament from February 14-March 29.
While Ireland stunned Pakistan and England at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups respectively, minnows Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh in their first win over a test-playing nation last year.
The ICC arranged a familiarisation tour of Australia for them last year during which they played matches against local sides to gain much-needed experience of the conditions Down Under.
The governing body also appointed Dav Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to their 1996 World Cup win, to help the four minnows prepare for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. “The associates and the way they are prepared for this tournament, any other country will be silly to take them lightly,” Richardson said.
“If they do, there’s a real chance of an upset being caused. They will be the underdogs in most of the matches but a surprise or two can impact the group standings. — Reuters.
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