In the latest of the series of BIG QUESTIONS interviews, focusing on leading associates players in period 2000-2010, Edgar Schiferli of the Netherlands gives his insights on the future of the game in Holland, the potential of T20 and the advent of professionalism in the modern era.

What have been the biggest changes in the game for associate players since you started your career?

The biggest changes are that there is much more time spend on practice and playing against other associates team.

How important is it for the development programme that the iCC adopt the reforms recommended in the Woolf Report?

Very important. If we would like cricket of the associates to move up the ladder then they need to put that in the program.

Has the High Performance Programme brought more professionalism to the leading associates and what else could be done to bridge the gap?

Yes, I think it has. But we as leading associates should play more cricket against Test nations. That is how we can learn how to play more and better cricket.

Do you think the winners of the Intercontinental Cup should get an opportunity to play a test match against the lowest ranked test nation? Is a two division test championship a good idea?

Playing against second division would be a good start to move cricket up the ladder. Yes they should play against the ' minor' test nations, Zimbabwe or Bangladesh.

How important is the T20 format in spreading the game and how can associates best capitalize on this?

Very important. For associates it is a way to prove to the cricket world that we are able to beat test nations. And when we have, we can beat them in the ODI format as well. Look at the Irish, they have been performing very well the past years.

What do you think is needed to convince the ICC to promote more teams to full membership?

We should play more cricket against test nations as it is the only way to move up the ladder.

Is Test Cricket a realistic ambition for associate nations?

Not at this time. Maybe for the Irish, but the other countries are not ready yet. First the associates need to play the T20, ODI and intercontinental formats and show that prove our ability.

ICC figures show a huge increase in player participation over the last decade. In your experience what are the most effective ways of spreading cricket to new people/communities?

• Make sure that you put the right people on the task.
• Getting youngsters to play more cricket at clubs/schools by introducing the T20 format. It is short and fast. When kids like that they will acquire a love for the longer form.

What are the obstacles to a Dutch player having a career in cricket?

• not playing/learning cricket in school during gymnastics.
• not having experienced coaches to really teach the players/kids cricket the whole year (also in the winter).
• not having proper cricket nets/hall to practice in.
• the right people telling and helping you to grow in cricket.

Should the ICC target lucrative markets such as USA or China or give every member an equal opportunity to progress?

I think they should give every member an equal opportunity and starting with countries like that could be a start. You have to begin somewhere. But don’t forget the associate nations that are doing very well at the moment.

The Dutch have become increasingly reliant on ex-pats in the national team. Would you like to see more home grown players and how can the KNCB help achieve this?

There are other countries with a greater reliance on ex-pats playing the game. But there is not enough money to get the right tools to teach the Dutch to play and learn cricket.

If possible, make more money available for Dutch players to send them to England or other countries to teach them. Why not try and put them in academies around the world. Like Ben Williams who had a few Dutch guys over in New Zealand for six months.

What is your most cherished memory on a cricket field?

There are a few moments, But WC T20 2009 at Lords against England will always stay fresh in my memory.

Who is the most talented player you have played with and against?

That would be Ryan Ten Doeschate. I have been playing against and with him since 2000 and we always had a competition going on since then. And see how far he has come.

How important is Olympic status in raising the profile of cricket in non-test countries?

If that happens it will be a great thing. It will raise the profile and image of cricket in the smaller countries and help get more people to play it.

How important is it that HPP associates are included in the Future Tours Programme?

It would be a great opportunity for the HHP associates to be able to learn and prove themselves.

What are your future aspirations in the game?

My future in international cricket is over, but helping younger players (at club level) is my first objective. Maybe in the future I can share my expertise with young cricketers.

This is taken from the BIG QUESTIONS series of interviews on CricketAtlas, looking back at development of the global game with key figures on the associate scene in the period 2000 - 2010. The rest of the series can be viewed at CricketAtlas.