ICC help West Indies, Zimbabwe

The West Indies Cricket Board and Zimbabwe Cricket have both been given financial support by the International Cricket Council in an effort to help develop their ailing national sides.

The WICB will receive US 3million over three years as part of the Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme (TAPP) agreement, with Zimbabwe's board receiving half that amount over the same period.

While the Windies surprisingly triumphed at the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year, their Test team has been in decline for a number of years and is above only New Zealand and Bangladesh in the official ICC rankings, with Zimbabwe currently unranked as they have played insufficient matches.

ICC chief executive David Richardson said: "It is very important to the long term prosperity of international cricket that we have competitive teams at the highest level and both the West Indies and Zimbabwe have been very clear in identifying the factors that will support improved performance.

"The TAPP agreements provide an opportunity for both members to increase their investment in high performance and we look forward to witnessing the impact of these programmes."

The agreements with both nations follows similar targeted performance support for Ireland, Holland and Scotland, while details of New Zealand's programme are being finalised.

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