THE recent ICC decisions over Zimbabwe and the 2006 abandoned Oval test highlight once again the nature of the chasm that divides the world game. The old-style Imperial Cricket Conference, run from Lord's, saw power wielded largely for their own benefit by England and Australia, who held a veto over decisions. The resentments that built up over the years, particularly in south Asia, are behind the equally self-interested decision-making that the new power bloc is guilty of in recent years.

The English media are to the fore in their fury over the ICC, and while some of their indignation is righteous over Zimbabwe, the powerlessness felt by the old guard is a strong motivator too.

There is much discomfort that the fault-lines have been marked by race. England, Australia and New Zealand have been outmanouvered by India and Pakistan. The last three full members elected have lined up behind the Asians – in the case of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, grateful for the leg-up they got into test cricket when they clearly did not deserve the status.

Bangladesh were elected as full members on the strength of a 1999 World Cup win over Pakistan in a dead game. The result was quickly under a shadow and was one of those named as having been fixed by the Pakistani great Majid Khan.

So, besides the fact that Ireland beat both those countries fair-and-square at the 2007 World Cup, how does this impact on Irish cricket?

Well, it has bothered me for a while now that Ireland are not getting a fair crack of the whip from our nearest neighbours. OK, the governing body has been generous enough in providing a place in its competitions and granting us biannual ODIs with England – albeit only after some hard-ball was played by Warren Deutrom over the TV rights for the India/South Africa ODI series.

But there is ample evidence that Irish cricket is being systematically plundered by English counties. We were grateful at first that Middlesex gave Ed Joyce a chance that no Irish player had enjoyed for years. But then came Eoin Morgan, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling and now Kevin O'Brien. And what has the Lord's club given by way of thanks to Irish cricket? One charity game several years ago for an injured Merrion member.

Now that Andrew Poynter has taken to first-class cricket you can be sure they'll take another look at him.

The fact that there are a dozen-odd players attached to counties wouldn't be much of a problem if they played fair about player release. But they don't: already this season Morgan, Niall O'Brien and William Porterfield have "opted" to play for their employers ahead of their country. Even an ICC regulation that players must be released for ODIs failed to prise that trio from the clutches of the counties. And it is a similar story with Scots players.

It is about time that the ECB showed some leadership and told the counties to allow their Irishmen and Scotsmen to play internationals. A FIFA-style regulation could be introduced where a player who is not released must not play for the club on any of the days of the Irish game.

The ECB needs to do this, not out of some benign neighbourliness, but because Ireland and Scotland could solve a huge problem for them and help rebalance the power in the world game.

Ireland are clearly the next best team in the world outside the 11 test nations – and arguably better than a couple of them. Scotland aren't far behind, although Namibia and Kenya have had a resurgence lately.

The ECB – and Australia – must have identified Ireland as the next most likely to attain test standard. We are not anywhere near the playing or facilities standard required, but then neither were Zimbabwe and Bangladesh when they were promoted. But a serious investment in CricketIreland would pay enormous dividends. How about they send over, or host, regular 'A' or Under 19 tours. Or an expert to advise on ground improvement. Or help introduce a strong regional tournament. Or ask each county to bring one Irish youth into their academy. Or lots of other things on the CricketIreland wish list, not least cash.

But for a start they could just tell their counties that Ireland needs its rare talents to play as often as they can.

The debacle in Aberdeen when Ireland shipped 402 to New Zealand the week before last could prove a further blow to our hard-won ODI status. The new rankings show our rating has slipped to 19 points, just one ahead of Zimbabwe. While the Africans are unlikely to increase their score anytime soon, another defeat will see Ireland drop out of the top ten.

Their absence allowed the O'Brien brothers Niall (82nd) and Kevin (85th) to maintain their batting rankings, but Kyle McCallan has slipped to 69th in the bowling and Andre Botha to 72nd. Dave Langford-Smith, who retired in March, is still ranked 96th.