February 21, 2007	Wednesday	Safar 3, 1428

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HAMILTON, Feb 20: Former West Indies Test star Michael Holding believes the World Cup will be devalued by the number of non-Test playing nations taking part.

When the 2007 World Cup gets underway in the Caribbean on March 11, there will be six non-Test teams involved, seven if Zimbabwe, who have temporarily lost their Test status, are included.

“I do not believe the World Cup should go on for as long as it does (almost two months) and that is partly because there are far too many teams in the competition who are not good enough to be there,” the 53-year-old told the Royal Gazette. “I've argued about this with the ICC for some time. I simply do not believe that if you come fourth in the ICC Trophy that you should be entitled to play in the World Cup.

“It does not make sense to me. What is gained by a team playing in the World Cup and getting absolutely hammered? In my opinion it is counter-productive.

“What I believe should happen is that all the non-Test playing nations should continue to play amongst themselves, to have their own competition where only the top-ranked country goes through to the World Cup.—AFP