Another Associate country likely to gain ODI status next year

The ICC is believed to have told officials of Associate countries that it is keen to elevate an Associate country to One Day International status following next year's ICC Trophy.

While Bangladesh and Kenya were obvious choices as the first recipients of ODI status, picking from the prime contenders, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark will be a difficult task for the ICC.

As coaches and captains of those countries will tell you, any of the four teams can beat the others on a given day.

"The Emerging Nations tournament in Zimbabwe proved that it is very even between the four countries," Danish national coach, Ole "Stan" Mortensen, said.

The ICC, however, may yet decide no country is ready to progress to the next stage.

The need to impress was omnipresent in the Netherlands' Emerging Nations campaign early last month. The Dutch finished as runner-up in the six-nation event behind ODI status nation, Kenya.

"We were very pleased. It was an important test for us knowing what may take place next year," Netherlands captain, Roland Lefebvre said. "There was a bit of pressure for us knowing what it could mean.

"It is good when you don't play at your best and still win."

Irish national coach, Ken Rutherford was also content with his team's showing.

"We batted well but our bowling wasn't quite as good," the former New Zealand Test captain said.

Rutherford was effusive in his praise of the concept of the tournament.

"The more times the Associate teams [of this standard] play each other can only mean improved standards.

"A team like the West Indies would be bored playing Ireland and for our guys it can be tedious playing weaker Associate countries. A tournament like this can only be beneficial."

"Zimbabwe was an ideal place for it as there was good infrastructure and the conditions were suitable.

"If there was to be an improvement, a proper trophy with a final contested would make it more prestigeous."

Mortensen, agreed with Rutherford and Lefebvre, that the timing was ideal and should be repeated.

"At this stage we haven't got any turf pitches in Denmark so it is good preparation for the NatWest Trophy and the European Championships."

Mortensen said it was important that the ICC helps to nurture a strong 'second tier' of countries below Test level.

"We at the Danish Cricket Association make no secret that Test cricket is out of the question for us. Three or five day cricket will never take off in Denmark so tournaments like these are important for us."