EVERYONE loves a sporting underdog and the current cricket World Cup is providing plenty of entertainment from the so-called lesser nations.

There are often arguments that the gap between the top Test sides and those relatively new to the scene is far too big to create credible competition.

But just ask Ireland about that after their win against West Indies. Even Afghanistan pulled off a shock against Scotland, albeit much less of a surprise with the Scots not one of those nations with a seat at cricket’s top table.

It is sad, then, that organisers have decided to reduce the number of competing teams to 10 from 14 for the next tournament in 2019 which will take place on home shores in England and Wales.

There have long been calls to reduce the length of the world cup but this is not the reason for the reduction. No, the real driving force is to boost the coffers with more and more TV money.

The thought is that more broadcasting companies will be willing to fork out more if the top teams face each other on a more frequent basis.

It is undoubtedly true but where is the real essence of sport in that argument.

Where would we be without the fairytales like Wimbledon winning the FA Cup in 1988 against the then mighty Liverpool?

Every club, country and individual has the right to chase a dream of reaching the top – however short-lived it may be.

The day we start down the path of seeding every tournament or event so that only the elite take part, we forget everything that sport is meant to be about.

We dismiss the Eddie the Eagles of this world or the Eric the Eels. We rule out any chance of a teenage Boris Becker going all the way to winning Wimbledon or Denmark upsetting football applecart to clinch the European Championship crown in 1992.

You could say one-sided affairs are never comfortable to watch but that should not mean we dismiss them because the unpredictable can happen.

Some of the greatest football World Cup moments have been the rise of the unknown. From Roger Milla and Cameroon in 1990 to Costa Rica qualifying from their group ahead of both England and Italy just last summer.

It is heartening to hear, then, that amongst all the furore surrounding the news the 2022 tournament in Qatar, FIFA presidential candidate Luis Figo actually wants to increase the number of teams at the football World Cup if he gets elected.

I’m sure that would not go down well with the managers at Europe’s top clubs who already moan about burnt out of their star players.

But my thoughts are that if it is a worldwide tournament then make it just that. Cricket, you should take note.