Former Bermuda captain Lionel Cann and his Scotland counterpart George
Salmond have hit back at West Indian bowling great Michael Holding
for his remarks that participation of non-Test playing nations 'devalued' the
World Cup.
"I was surprised and appalled by Michael Holding's remarks
that minnows 'devalued' the World Cup. He was brought in to be the guest speaker
at our first ever World Cup function and he says we shouldn't be there!"
Cann said.
"I actually feel, as someone who has played cricket his whole life, it
was quite a selfish statement to make. I don't think he's looking at the big
picture.
"It wasn't that long ago people were calling Bangladesh
minnows, now they've beaten Australia," he wrote in the 'Bermuda Sun'.
Cann said it was demotivating for the Bermuda team but they
would use the West Indian's comments to excel at the World Cup.
"Hearing something like that from someone who has been such an ambassador
for the game, put me in a real down frame of mind. It seemed like all that we
have accomplished and worked towards was nothing in his eyes", he said.
"With all the negativity that's been directed towards theteam, it's just
one more downer. It's something that willmotivate us and make us want to succeed
even more," he said.
Cann asked "is he going to say Trinidad shouldn't havebeen
in the football World Cup? I have a lot of respect forsuch a gentleman, but
this is one occasion where I believe hehas faltered in his comments."
Salmond, who captained Scotland at their first World Cup in
1999, said holding failed to understand that playing in theWorld Cup was a huge
opportunity to improve for the non-Testnations.
"I was disappointed to read the comments from one of theesteemed
characters of the sport. To me, he is way off themark and has no understanding
of how ambitious the non-Testcountries are," Salmond said.
"The opportunity to play at the World Cup gives everyassociate
nation a massive incentive to improve across theboard. Playing at the 1999 event
helped launch amini-revolution in Scottish cricket," he was quoted as sayingby
the 'The Herald'.
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