ICC defends inclusion of minnows

An under-fire ICC has defended the inclusion of weaker teams for the Champions Trophy, saying such exposure was vital for them.

An under-fire International Cricket Council has defended the inclusion of weaker teams for the Champions Trophy, saying such exposure was vital for the minnows.

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A series of heavily lop-sided games in the first half of the Champions Trophy has led to cricketers, notably Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, and former players like India's Kris Srikkanth question the rationale behind inclusion of minnows in the big league.

Coming down heavily on the ICC, Ponting said that no team gains much from such one-sided encounters.

But ICC spokesman Brendan McClements disagreed and said exposure was vital for weaker teams.

"I think it's important those countries are able to aspire to and test themselves against that level," AAP quoted McClements as saying.