The ICC have confirmed that they are to push ahead with their plans to take the World out of the World Cup.

Following their Board meeting in Dubai they confirmed that the 2019 event in England and Wales will be limited to 10 teams - down from 14 in 2015.

Next year's event in Australia and New Zealand had originally been scheduled as 10 teams, but following a worldwide outcry by the Associate countries, led superbly by Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom, they back-tracked to a 14 team event.

Giles Clarke of the ECB, now one of the unholy trinity effectively running world cricket, warned a leading European official that Associates may have won the battle but would lose the war.

With the cutting back of T20 World Cup participation - cleverly manipulated in the form of another pre-qualifier - it seems the sneering Clarke has been proven right.

The top 8 ODI sides will qualify automatically - or it should be more properly recorded that the top 8 Full Member sides will.

Even if Ireland or Afghanistan were to make the top 8 - they would still have to go through the qualification process.

Another sad day for ICC and cricket, who seem determined to contract the sport to the privileged few.