What is the possible way out to break the cycle of resurfacing and hibernation of Associate nations?

We witness associate nations coming into limelight perhaps once in every two years. They compete, either amongst themselves or with the test-playing nations, during the occurrence of big tournaments like World Cups and Asia Cups.They resurface during these tournaments followed by long hibernation from any competitive, cricket, again to resurface followed by hibernation and the vicious cycle continues. There are occasional matches, against the test-playing nations, a solitary match squeezed in when a major test-playing nation visit; neighbors of the associate nations.The dire state of affair for these budding cricketing nations, coupled with issues of fund cutting from the ICC makes the future look dark. Another regularity, similar to the vicious cycle of resurfacing and hibernation from competitive cricket for the associate nations, is their performances to upset and tumble a big cricketing nation and the out of their skin performances.We have several examples in the last 2-3 decades where an Associate Nation; was in good touch for a period of 5-6 years and was nowhere near its prime since it wasn’t provided with the support at the right time. So, what could be the reasons and the possible way out to break the vicious cycle of resurfacing and hibernation?Here are a few reasons and suggestions:

#1 Lack of more than one stars

Ten Doeschate played for KKR in IPL

Generally, not more than one or two publicly followed player plays for any of the associate teams. Ireland is yet to go beyond O’Brien brothers, Netherlands had Ten Doeschate and Dirk Nannes but lost them owing to lack international opportunities and Afghan team is yet to find a globally applauded superstar other than Mohammad Shahzad and Hamid Hassan.

All this would be different if the Associate Nations jump on the T20 Franchise tournament bandwagon. The success stories of Indian Premier League/Caribean Premier League/Big Bash League/GlamSham/T20 Blast is not new. Tournaments like the IPL have a cap of including not more than four foreign players in the playing XI. Why can’t one of these four be from the associate nations?

A rule of including, at least one player belonging to Associate Nations, would help in the development of the players. It is not hard to imagine how much Munis Ansari would gain in sharing the dugout with Lasith Malinga or how much Kevin O’Brien would absorb while playing along Kevin Pietersen. Would Mohammad Shahzad pick MSD’s brain on the helicopter shot or wicket keeping skills?

#2 Lack of competitive matches

They say these nations don’t have the test match temperament

The ICC aims at introducing a new team by 2018 as a full member with a test status. As of now the decision would be based on the results from the ICC Intercontinental Cup which a tournament with test match format games being played amongst the top associate nations.

But clichés like “daddy hundreds” and “memorable spells” are notably missing. The competing nations don’t have the test match temperament and this results in under development for the test status to be awarded.

This could result in another Bangladesh story, inspire of success in the limited overs’ formats, the country is still struggling to find their holding in the longest form of the game after more than 15 years of test cricket playing exposure.

A feasible solution for this could be to make the associate nations’ teams compete in a full tournament like County Cricket in England, Ranji Trophy in India and Shield in Australia. Let them be added to the teams competing in the local first class cricket of formidable cricketing nations. They could compete right at the round-robin level. This would give them an opportunity to try themselves against the second best.

#3 Lack of home matches

Why not more home matches?

A team pumps up and starts performing at a different level altogether when it is aided by the support of crowd especially while playing home. This would work wonders if the Associate Teams aim to match-up with the Test-playing nations.

Associates like Ireland, Scotland and The Netherlands regularly featured in international level tournaments and the UAE has been hosting cricket since the 80’s. A blanket rule like each of the ICC Full Members has to visit a specific number of Associates for a specific number of matches in a calendar year would help in building home support for the Associate teams.

#4 Lack of opportunities

Frequent international matches should be provided

Apart from global tournaments, we hardly get to see these associate nations. There too, most of the times they need to play the qualifying rounds. The ICC Full Members touring other full members could leverage the geographical proximity of these associate nations with the full members to provide frequent international matches.

The Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland would certainly benefit from a few matches with the Aussies during their Ashes tour of England. Similarly, either India, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh can invite Afghanistan to play triangular series when they have a home series and Pakistan can include the UAE and Oman for a few tournaments that they play at their adopted home grounds.

#5 Lack of media coverage for matches

Providing media coverage would develop the popularity of the players

Even though the Qualifying Round matches for the ICC World T20 2016 were televised, none of the other games involving two Associate Nations get the media coverage that they could get.

Providing media coverage would develop the popularity of not only the players but rivalries too. Who knows? The Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland could join the English in forming a lip-licking ICC European Cup tournament similar to Asia Cup.