Netherlands captain Peter Borren frustrated at associate nation's reduced fixture list

Barnaby Read 22:48 11/03/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Borren is struggling to take the Netherlands' early exit from the World T20.

    The frustration was clear on Peter Borren’s face as he entered the post-match press conference on Friday.

    His side had just been knocked out of their World T20 qualifying group after a narrow defeat to Bangladesh and rain meant not a single ball was bowled in their scheduled match with Oman.

    Nearly a year’s worth of preparation had led them to this pre-tournament.

    Eight matches, one washout and six wins saw them share the Qualifier trophy in Scotland and Ireland last summer but after just three hours on the pitch at the HPCA Stadium their fate had been sealed.

    It is a tiring story for the lesser nations that their fixtures are being reduced, their opportunities on the world stage diminishing every year.

    And it is one that Borren finds increasingly hard to come to terms with, his team now scheduled to only face Nepal and Afghanistan after Sunday’s final game with Ireland over the course of 2016.

    “It’s very difficult, very hard to take right now. In two days’ time we have a T20I against Ireland and we’ve got to try and get the guys up for that,” said Borren.

    “For the rest of the year we have Nepal in the World Cricket League who are coming out in the summer and then one four-day game against Afghanistan and that’s very much the schedule for us this year, which is associate cricket in a nutshell really.

    “It’s obviously not enough cricket, it’s fair to say. Today’s rain has meant that we’re now in the position where possibly we won’t be playing in a world event for I don’t know how many years. I’ve been lucky that I’ve been to a few but it seems there are less opportunities which is frustrating.

    “It’s pretty hard to tell Paul van Meekeren who took 2-17 against Bangladesh that he may never have an opportunity to get this far again is pretty tough.”

    Journalist Tim Wigmore reported for ESPN Cricinfo this week that the ICC is looking into increasing the funding of its associate and affiliate members and although it will be music to the likes of Borren’s ears, everyone involved with these teams will know better than to count their chickens before they hatch.

    Funding was increased for the next cycle but a rise from $252m to $299 is largely insignificant when its distributed between the 95 nations under the associate and affiliate umbrella.

    Wigmore notes: “Had the ICC rights for 2015-23 been distributed according to the previous revenue model (2007-2015), Ehsan Mani, the former ICC President, estimates that the Associate nations could have received over $550 million.”

    That would have been a real difference maker and Borren has called for action of substance to finally take fruit.

    “There are some really passionate people at the ICC who have worked extremely hard in an attempt to get us more cricket. The level of associate cricket has dramatically improved but opportunity for games is becoming far less. Four or five years ago I used to play quite a few games in a year, these days it’s not many with the I-Cup and World Cricket League going to a three-year cycle,” explained the Netherlands captain.

    “There’s a certain sort of malaise towards associate cricket I guess. There’s a lot of money in cricket. I think the revenue should be spread out a little bit more so that it gives an opportunity for the young guys to become better cricketers and the game spreads throughout the world.

    “We don’t need that much! We’re not looking for millions and millions of dollars but a very small percentage of this huge amount. We’re not going to be the source of much revenue, we understand that. But if the game wants to grow, surely the revenue needs to be split more evenly, not just amongst three, eight, ten teams but throughout the associate and affiliate members.

    “This has been said over and over again many times. I remember William Porterfield at the World Cup in 2015 saying pretty similar stuff. And people sit there going ‘that’s fair enough’, but there’s no real change. It can be extremely frustrating and real change would be welcome.”

    Borren went on to explain that from his hotel room Indian TV was recently replaying their victories over England in 2011 and 2014 but without significant restructuring or a way to provide more opportunities to Netherlands & co such upsets will soon be few and far between.

    Recommended