Quote:
Originally Posted by vcs
In general, I agree with you. Close games can also be low-quality with plenty of choking. Would have liked to see more from the minnows in that group, even though they had their moments, as GF mentioned.
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I think everyone would have. But with the exception of the European associates, there's a lack of a really professional system in place for their development. Canada in particular also suffer because they don't have a full member side who are relatively close by so that teams can pop in after a tour and play a couple of ODIs.
I'm delighted that Sri Lanka are playing a tri-series in Scotland with us and Ireland after the ODI series against England - but it's only 1 game against each opponent. Teams who tour England really ought to be playing a mixture of ourselves, Ireland and the Netherlands at some point in the tour more regularly than they do. England themselves could also help more - I appreciate that their schedule is jammed and the fact that they're playing us and Ireland more in recent years is fantastic - but all the European associates need more regular home ODI series against full members, rather than a one off match here and there. South Africa do a great job supporting Zimbabwe in this respect - while the ECB do a great job with the 3 associates on their doorstep, they could maybe step it up a notch.