ICC decision 'backward' step, says Flower

Zimbabwe batting coach Grant Flower on Saturday criticised ICC's proposal to make 50-over World Cup a 10-team affair in 2015, terming it a "backward" step and detrimental to the growth of cricket in smaller nations.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat had said on Friday that World Twenty20 would be expanded to 16 teams from 12 while the 50-over World Cup would be cut to 10 sides.

"I don't agree with that. I think these (smaller) nations need exposure to develop," Flower, a former Zimbabwe Test opener, said referring to four ICC Associate members- Netherlands, Ireland, Kenya and Canada.

"Obviously, there are pros and cons for that decision. If it does happen I see it as things going backward and not forward," he added.

16 nations participated in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, while 14 teams are competing in the 2011 edition in the subcontinent.

Bermuda and Scotland were the two teams which were part of the World Cup in the Caribbean and missing from the 2011 edition.

"We have felt in the past few years that Twenty20 is the best format to develop the game worldwide and it provides a better environment for competition. The 50-over format is more skill-based and suitable for the top teams," Lorgat had said.