Former Scotland player Colin Smith has urged the ICC to create a two-tier international cricket structure to sort out the current “mess” in the game.
The former wicketkeeper-batsman, who appeared at the 2007 World Cup, was scathing about the current set-up, which he believes has allowed three countries, England, Australia and India, to take control of the sport.
The 45-year-old Aberdonian, who won 119 caps, also criticised the lack of opportunities for Scotland to make progress on the global stage, after they defeated England in Edinburgh last month.
He said: “Scotland do not have a product to sell. They have a fabulous team but no way to show it and therefore sell it and support themselves.
“The ICC needs to sort out international cricket in a way which brings meaning to almost every fixture, rather than the current mess.
“A two-tier system is the plan which is most likely to work: this would split the top 12 to 14 ranked teams into two leagues and see them playing each other in a system with promotion and relegation, along with a title at the end.
“This would give every nation a pathway and ranking, based on meritocracy. It also provides meaning to games and, importantly for the likes of Scotland, a product which can be sold to supporters, sponsors and TV companies.
“At present, for as much as the ICC says it supports the global development of the sport, this is only fine for as long as it does not affect the big nations.
“This perhaps shows the ICC is not really in control of the global game and it is, in fact, ruled by the interests of the big three of India, England and Australia.”
Smith has no doubt the Scottish squad has the ability to advance at the highest level.
He was among those who thought Kyle Coetzer and his players were the best team at the World Cup qualifying event in Zimbabwe this year and he reckons they were incredibly unlucky to be edged out.
But despite beating four Test nations in the last 12 months – England, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan – he has been left frustrated at their lack of recognition.
Smith added: “Scotland can take the Ireland route, continually win games, and place pressure on the authorities to give them more opportunities.
“But since it is impossible to win games you are not given, this is a leap of faith.
“There needs to be a structure that says: if you win games, you get the rewards – and if that happens, Scotland can flourish. At the very least, they will have the opportunity to flourish.
“But, at present, the rug has been pulled from under their feet.”
