As the annual ICC Conference in Hong Kong edges closer, the decision on the future participation of Associate and Affiliate nations at World Cups will undoubtedly be the most hotly debated issue on the agenda. The non-Test playing nations were dealt a huge blow when the ICC decided to include only 10 teams in the next two editions of the World Cup. So where does that leave the Associates? Do we want only 10 nations playing the Gentleman's game?

The Associates now face the prospect of playing amongst each other in ICC competitions for the next eight years. We can draw parallels to a student of average intelligence studying in an average school with no opportunity to expose himself to a more rigorous course and hence remain comfortable in his mediocrity. What these nations are going to gain by playing each other is questionable and dreams of matching the likes of India and Australia can well be buried in disappointment.

The most exciting game of the day came at Ghent, where Austria edged out Spain in Group B, by virtue of their point gained in a tied game with Hellas. They went into the game level on points with Spain, but knew they needed a positive result given their vastly inferior net run rate in comparison with the Iberian side.

It looked like rain might give them that point, but eventually the skies cleared to enable a 15 overs per side contest. Austria batted first and made 116 for 8, with Amar Naeem top scoring with 55 from 44 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes). He shared in a 3rd wicket stand of 52 with Satyam Subhash (21). Best with the ball for Hellas were Spyridon Goustis (2-15) and Stamatos Giourgas (2-21).

Spain kept their qualification hopes very much alive when they timed a potentially difficult run chase to perfection to defeat Hellas by seven wickets at Mechelen.

A slow start from Hellas meant they were always on the back foot, and it took a late surge from Georgios-Chry Stogiannos to take their total up to 142 for 6. The belligerent right hander scored 45 from just 21 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes).

Austria maintained their pressure on Group B leaders Belgium with a comfortable 80-run win over Malta in Ghent.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Austrians made 171`for seven, with opener Lakmal Kasthuriarachchige smashing 22 from just 14 deliveries, and Amandeep Amandeep making a 38-ball 40. hen Qamar Abbas hit 29 from 19 balls, with five fours, and Ben Loader 30 from 21 as Austria piled on the agony in the closing overs.

Belgium retained their unbeaten record in Group B on Wednesday morning with a seven-wicket victory over Hellas, largely thanks to an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 67 between opener Nirvam Shah and Shahreyar Butt.

The Greek side had set a fairly testing target of 150, although the tournament hosts had done well to haul their way back after a rather higher total had seemed on the cards at one stage. Anastasios Manousis (37 from 32 balls) and Andreas Koutsoufis (34 from 24) had given their side a good start, and they were well placed at 72 for three at the half-way stage.

Isle of Man made it three wins out of three to assume control in Group A when they recorded a comprehensive nine wicket win against Finland at Royal Brussels.

A thoroughly professional performance in the field restricted the Finns to just 87 all out in 17.2 overs, with only Bilal Khan (26) reaching double figures. All six Isle of Man bowlers shared the wickets, with Ross Berry claiming 4 for 14. Jaco Jansen taking 2 for 9, but his championship tally of five is still well short of his colleague Arne van der Berg, who has 9 wickets, at an incredible economy rate of just 3.11.