3 Reasons why the World Cup should have more than 10 teams.

#2. They don't get enough matches to play

West Indies v Afghanistan - ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Final

When the big three (India, Australia and England) play against each other, they always play a Test Series comprising of either four or five Test matches. But for most of the remaining Test playing nations, this isn't the case. While Pakistan played a two Test series against England, Sri Lanka's upcoming series with South Africa will also have just two test matches. England's tour of New Zealand earlier this year included only two test matches and it was the same when New Zealand toured England last. Kane Williamson even stated, "We've played four Tests this year, I think there's a little bit of frustration, guys want to play more Test cricket". If a major test nation feels this way, what hope is there for newly inducted Ireland and Afghanistan?

The Associate Members don't even have Test status. However, when was the last time India played any ODIs outside the World Cup against an associate nation? India has played just one ODI against Ireland outside the World Cup and just one overall against Scotland, both of which were back in 2007. Their only two games against Netherlands were in a World Cup as well. It’s not just India though, most of the major Test playing nations have similar records.

The Associate nations head into the World Cup with hardly any games against the big sides and they still put up a very good fight. Sure, playing once every four years against the big teams won't help them as much. But it'll give them exposure, experience and understanding of what it's like to play on the big stage. The only way for them to improve is to play as many matches as possible at the highest level. If the countries outside the top 10 are denied an opportunity to play in the World Cup, when will they ever get to play against the big teams?