318 runs, 80.3 overs, 22 wickets. These are the combined statistics of the last two matches played in the Champions Trophy (South Africa v Bangladesh and Australia v USA). These numbers are certainly not very encouraging for the tournament considering a few more mismatches lie ahead. If the forthcoming matches continue to be such low scoring affairs, the Champions Trophy will be nothing less than a catastrophe.

The ICC will have to rack their brains and come up with a better alternative for such weaker teams. First and foremost they must decide which of these teams are good enough even to put up a decent fight against the international teams. And the answer should be simple-none of them (Kenya and Zimbabwe were not bad till about a year back but have fallen apart due to various reasons).

As such, it would be better for the cricketing body to make these teams play against oppositions who fit into their category. But more importantly, such matches should be given the status normal one-day internationals get. This will encourage the players because they know their efforts are going to be recognised. For example, organising a triangular tournament between Bangladesh, USA and Zimbabwe. These matches might not generate great interest, but at least the teams will not get annihilated as is happening in the Champions Trophy.

The Cricket Council will have to go slow on the issue. Just blooding new teams into international cricket won't do much good for the confidence of such sides. A more methodical approach might be the better way out. Recently, the ICC has decided considering separate schedules for teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. This might not be a bad idea after all. Playing against teams of similar strength will help boost the confidence of the team that does well.

Once they get a bit of experience, the next step can be sending them to countries like India, South Africa and Sri Lanka where they compete against 'A' teams and find out how good they are. If they perform reasonably well against such oppositions, the ICC can consider having them in a couple of tournaments featuring experienced teams (but not big ones like the Champions Trophy). The cricketing fraternity must also work to improve the facilities in such countries where cricket is not a prominent game.

But the ICC also has to reward teams that have done well over a period of time. The Kenyans reached the semi-finals in the World Cup held last year. However, there was no international cricket for the semi-finalist's despite their laudable performance. How can you expect them to come straight into a big game after a gap of 18 months and perform? Kenyan captain, Steve Tikolo, is absolutely justified in his criticism of the Cricket Council. After all if you don't look after such countries, which do well despite having limited resources, how will the game of cricket expand to other non-cricket playing countries?

To be honest, the experiment of having the minnows participate in the Champions Trophy has been a total failure. These teams have proved to be nothing more than walkovers for the oppositions. Things have to change and change for the better of cricket and countries like USA and Bangladesh. This can only be done if the ICC makes some smart moves and doesn't end up making a mockery of a big tournament like this. There will have to rework a new strategy for the next Champions Trophy. Let's hope, the next version of the Mini-World Cup is a much better and improved one and more importantly lives up to its name.