'Need to make sure one-day cricket continues to have a following' - Greg Barclay on importance of WCSL for associate nations

The Netherlands' impressive performance in the 2023 Men's World Cup has sparked discussions on the future of the World Cup Super League (WCSL). As the cricketing world acknowledges the success of associate teams like Netherlands and Scotland, there are growing calls from both the Dutch and the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the continuation of the WCSL or a similar initiative.

Greg Barclay, the ICC chairman, highlighted the WCSL's significant impact on Associate countries and emphasized the need for context and relevance in the 50-over format, thereby suggesting that a re-creation of the Super League or an equivalent initiative might be the answer.

"I don't think there is any doubt that the Super League was hugely helpful in terms of a pathway to Associate countries. The fact that you are seeing some of the performances from the Associate members... was due to the fact that they have had the experience of playing teams ranked above where they are," Barclay said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

"It's a work on. It's no secret that T20 is in a pretty good place, Test cricket has had a shot in the arm [with the World Test Championship] but maybe we've lost our way a little bit in the 50-over format. We need to address both context and relevance and the experience around that. Is that a re-creation of the Super League or something equivalent? I don't know but I suspect that the answer to that will be yes. We need to do something," he added.

However, the WCSL is not scheduled for the 2023-2027 ODI cycle, leading to concerns about the relevance of bilateral ODI cricket and the lack of guaranteed 50-over matches for Associate teams. Barclay acknowledged this issue, stating, 

"We need to make sure one-day cricket continues to have a following... It's running the risk at the moment of having a lot of irrelevancy in terms of the bilateral arrangements that are made."

While the future of the WCSL remains uncertain, the success of Dutch team has strengthened the case for Associate teams to have opportunities to compete at the highest level. Max O'Dowd, a prominent player for the Netherlands, expressed disappointment at the discontinuation of the WCSL, highlighting the immense value the tournament brought to Associate teams. 

Netherlands' experience in the WCSL had a profound impact on their game, teaching them winning habits and improving their approach against spin. This development was evident in their recent matches, including their victory over West Indies in the Qualifier. O'Dowd emphasized on the diminishing gap between Associate and Full Member nations, showcasing the strength of Associate cricket and urging other teams to take inspiration from their achievements.

As the ICC's Annual General Meeting approaches, the future of the WCSL and opportunities for Associate teams will be important topics for discussion. The cricketing world eagerly awaits decisions that will ensure the growth and competitiveness of the sport. With the World Cup cycle on the horizon, the success of the Netherlands stands as a testament to the potential of Associate teams, signaling a need for continued support and opportunities to compete against Full Members.