Ponting says world cup not ideal for minnows; Smith says non issue

Sydney, Mar 6 (UNI) Australia captain Ricky Ponting has yet again questioned the rationale behind giving participation to minnow teams in big tournaments like the the World Cup, saying that it would not do any good to the game.

This is not the first time that Ponting had expressed strong views on this issue. He had earlier asked the ICC to relegate Bangladesh from Test status only to make a somersault and retract his views while touring Bangladesh last year.

''I've always felt there are probably places and times for minnow nations to be playing. I'm not sure if the World Cup and the Champions Trophy is one of those times,'' Ponting told 'The Age' newspaper.

''That's the way it is, you've just got to accept it. It's not ideal. I've never been a great fan for having those countries in.

''If it does actually benefit their cricket -- and I'm not sure if it does -- but if it does help them out and help their cricket become stronger in those nations, then it should be a part of what they do,'' he said.

Ponting's South African counterpart Graeme Smith has, however, criticised comments deriding the inclusion of minnows in the mega event.

''We need to spread cricket and I believe that what the ICC is doing is positive for cricket as the game will only grow and develop with the weaker teams in the tournament,'' Smith told Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday after a practice session.

Ponting remembered playing against the USA during the 2004 Champions Trophy in England, when Australia bowled the Americans out for 65 and reached 66 for one in 7.5 overs.

''(When) we played USA, I'm not sure if they learned too much about that, and I don't think it does the game any good.'' Australia will play group A matches against Scotland (March 14) and the Netherlands (March 18) before clashing with the number one-ranked South Africa on March 24.

Former West Indian fast bowlers Michael Holding and Courtney Walsh had earlier expressed reservations on inclusion of non-Test playing nations in the World Cup, stretching it a bit too long.

''There are too many teams in the competition who are not good enough,'' Holding had told Bermuda's Royal Gazette.

On his part, Walsh had said, ''I'm always for development but If you have too (many) teams it's going to be overcrowded and you may lose some of the value.'' UNI