Minnows not good enough - Holding

Bermuda's Clay Smith in action in the World Cricket League

Former West Indies star Michael Holding has told a Bermuda newspaper that the islands' players have no right to be appearing at the Cricket World Cup.

The tiny British protectorate is competing for the first time in this year's tournament, starting in March.

But Holding told the Royal Gazette: "There are too many teams in the competition who are not good enough.

"I don't believe that if you come fourth in the ICC Trophy you should be entitled to play in the World Cup."

Bermuda came fourth in the qualifying tournament in 2005, going through to the World Cup along with Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the Netherlands, who finished fifth.

In all 16 teams are competing, the most that has ever taken part.

Holding, part of the fearsome West Indies pace cortege of the 1980s, believes only the top-ranked associate country in the world (currently Scotland) should be allowed to take part.

To have six non-Test nations all playing against the cream of the crop is not good for cricket Michael Holding

He said: "What is gained by a team playing in the World Cup and getting absolutely hammered? In my opinion it is counter-productive.

"What I believe should happen is that all the non-Test playing nations should continue to play amongst themselves, to have their own competition where only the top-ranked country goes through to the World Cup.

"I see nothing wrong with giving the smaller teams the odd tour and a few games against the bigger teams from time to time.

"And I think the ICC should continue to invest in non-Test playing nations to improve their cricket and their infrastructure and things like that.

"But it's a big jump from that to having six non-Test nations all playing against the cream of the crop. It's not good for cricket."