Cricket Ireland consider legal action after ICC World Cup snub

The move to trim the 2015 World Cup to ten teams - made up entirely of the full member nations of the ICC - is a severe blow for Ireland who have grown as a cricket nation over the past five years.

Their humbling of England in Bangalore and the fact they have been ranked at number ten in the ICC world rankings for most of the last four years - ahead of full member nation Zimbabwe - has increased the sense of outrage in Ireland.

“Clearly this demonstrates that there are no sporting principles being discussed at the board table, it's purely about money and the protection of privilege. We think it's a disgraceful decision," said Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland chief executive.

“Some action is definitely required. What way, shape or form that will take, it's difficult to say but action will come. We are simply going to have to examine all the possibilities.”

Ireland victory over Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup was a springboard for the country’s cricketing authorities to become more professional and attract sponsorship deals.

This summer they are due to play Pakistan in two one-day matches and England in Dublin on Aug 25 but without the carrot of a World Cup they fear sponsors and support from the Irish government will drain away at a time when the country is in the middle of a dire financial crisis.

“There was a discussion with one of the government agencies before the World Cup when a 10-team event was possible and he said why should we support when your own sport don't and it's a strong point,” said Deutrom.

Last year Ireland tentatively began the process of applying for Test status which would grant them full voting rights within the ICC. That ambition looks to have been killed by this move.

Ireland are not the only casualties from the fall out of the World Cup with Kumar Sangakarra resigning as Sri Lanka’s one-day captain.

Sangakarra has offered to stay on as captain of the Test team for the tour to England in May and June and will continue to play all three formats of the game for Sri Lanka.

His decision came 48 hours after his team were beaten by India in the World Cup final, their second successive defeat in the final. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews are likely successors.

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Cricket World Cup 2011: Kumar Sangakkara resigns as Sri Lanka captain after India defeat

Sangakkara said he told the national selectors that he would quit as one-day and Twenty20 captain with immediate effect, but offered to continue as Test captain on an interim basis if required.

"After careful consideration I have concluded that it is in the best long-term interests of the team that I step down now as national captain so that a new leader can be properly groomed for the 2015 World Cup," Sangakkara, 33, wrote to Sri Lanka Cricket.

"This was a decision I made prior to the World Cup. I will be 37 by the next World Cup and I cannot therefore be sure of my place in the team.

"It is better that Sri Lanka is led now by a player who will be at the peak of their career during that tournament."

Sangakkara, a fluent left-hand batsman and wicket-keeper, said he had no plans yet to retire as a player.

"I met with the selectors on Monday and I explained my reasons for my decision and I assured them of my fullest support in helping our new captain settle into the leadership," he wrote.

"In this regard, I have offered to continue as the Test captain for the forthcoming series with England, and possibly Australia, if the selectors believe this would help the new captain and aid the transition.

"I have no plans of retirement from international cricket at this stage and, subject to form and fitness, I would like to be considered for selection in all three formats of the game for the foreseeable future."

Sangakkara has scored 8,244 runs in 94 Tests at an average of 57.25 with 24 centuries. He also has 9,164 runs in 291 one-dayers with 11 hundreds.

Sangakkara said he had enjoyed his two-year stint as captain since taking over from Mahela Jayawardene in March, 2009.

"It has been a true honour and a great privilege to serve my country as captain during the past two years," he said.

"Although bitterly disappointed that we could not win the final, I am very proud of the performances of the team.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team-mates and the coaching staff for their hard work and support."

There was no immediate comment from Sri Lanka Cricket or the national selectors on Sangakkara's decision

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ICC to decide on 2015 World Cup format on Monday

A decision on the number of teams that will take part in the next World Cup is set to be determined by the International Cricket Council following a meeting of its executive board in Mumbai on Monday.

The ICC has previously stated it would cut the number of competing teams from 14 to 10 for the 2015 tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

The format of the World Cup has been criticised for being too long, with India's success in the final on Saturday arriving six weeks after they opened the tournament against Bangladesh.

A reduction in the number of competing teams is likely to see the number of associate members reduced after teams such as Canada and Kenya suffered some heavy defeats.

"The length of 50 overs will find certain teams out but I think there are 10 teams that can seriously compete in that format," the ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat told Sky Sports News. "That's a debate we are still finalising; in fact the board meeting over the next two days will consider that and will determine which teams will play in the 2015 World Cup."

The ICC currently has 10 full member nations with Zimbabwe the only one of those not a Test-playing country.

There may, however, be scope for at least one of the associate nations to play in the tournament with the ICC still yet to reveal how qualification would take place.

While the associate nations struggled at the recent tournament Ireland proved their ability to compete with the full members, highlighted by their victory over England. The Irish also reached the Super Eight stage four years ago when they beat Pakistan.

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Cricket World Cup 2011: India's press reacts to victory

"Men who make history defy all the odds," the Hindustan Times said, labelling the win "a resounding announcement of India's official coronation as the world's best team" which will herald a cricketing "golden age" for India.

"Windia!" was the banner headline in the Indian Express, while the Mail Today ran "Cup of Joy" over a picture of champagne bursting over the players' heads as they held up the trophy.

Like many newspapers, the Mail singled out the role of skipper Dhoni, who hit the winning runs in style with an imperious six into the packed stands.

"Hail Mahendra Singh Dhoni," the newspaper said. "On a night when the heat inside the Wankhede Stadium could have left you breathless, the inspirational leader showed what it is to lead from the front."

There was special praise too for the "instrumental" efforts of India's coach, former South African Test player Gary Kirsten, who has been credited with reviving the team's fortunes after a turbulent era under Australian coach Greg Chappell.

Tributes for the little master

Most newspapers ran special articles to honour star batsman Sachin Tendulkar who, at 37, was almost certainly appearing in his last World Cup tournament.

Tendulkar, playing in front of his home crowd, failed with the bat, scoring just 18 runs, but still ended up shedding tears of joy once victory was assured.

"For very long, cricket has been synonymous with Tendulkar all over India," said the Indian Express.

"But home is where the heart lies, and no other ground in India, or the world, could have provided a more emotional platform for the batting maestro."

Friends in high places

Praise and congratulations poured in from all quarters, including Indian President Pratibha Patil.

"All of you truly deserve the thanks of a billion plus Indians today," she said in a message to the team, while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh thanked the players for having "made India proud."

Congress president Sonia Gandhi greeted the jubilant crowds in Delhi, saying the victory "will be etched in gold for generations to come."

Meanwhile, in Colombo

The tone was very different in Sri Lanka, where the state-run media blasted everything from the preparation of the national team to the squad selection.

The Sunday Observer particularly questioned the wisdom of playing a half-fit Muttiah Muralitharan, the ace spinner and world record wicket-taker, who was retiring after Saturday's game.

"Was it advisable playing a half-fit Muralitharan?" the paper said. "Winning the mega final is much more important than giving a farewell tribute to even a great cricketer of Muralitharan's magnitude."

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