‘We deserve Cup place’, blasts Irish cricket chief

IRELAND’S top cricket official has defended the right of the Irish team and five other non-Test playing nations, to compete in next month’s World Cup in the Caribbean.

Two extra teams have been added to the roster for the event, bringing the total competing to 16. Six of those are ‘Associate members’ and none will be expected to advance beyond the initial group stages.

Former England captain Michael Atherton has voiced doubts over the expansion, while ex-West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding has questioned the benefits of weaker nations “getting absolutely hammered”.