DUBLIN, Ireland (CMC):

Ireland head coach Phil Simmons has condemned as 'despicable' the decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to limit the 2015 Cricket World Cup to the 10 full members.

Simmons, the former West Indies all-rounder who took over the team following the last World Cup in the Caribbean four years ago, said it was clear cricket's world governing body had used cricketing grounds to arrive at their decision.

On Monday, the ICC announced it would reduce the number of teams for the next World Cup, excluding Associate member teams Ireland, Netherlands, Canada and Kenya.

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Ireland, however, are currently ranked 10th above Zimbabwe who were allocated a spot at the next showpiece to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

"It is a dark day for cricket but a great day for greed and fear. It is hard to find words to describe this despicable decision made by some who want to keep things among themselves and some who fear us," seethed Simmons.

"There can be no cricketing reasons for this decision, as we answered the cricket question, the television rating question, and we are the 10th-ranked nation in the world, so what else is needed?"

Ireland has been the top Associate team the last two World Cups, shocking Pakistan to reach the second round in 2007 and upsetting England in the just concluded event on the Asian subcontinent.

However, the ICC decision comes on the heels of criticism that the World Cup had become protracted and included too many poor-quality sides.