Ireland batsman Ed Joyce has warned that the upcoming World Cup could be his side's last as future tournament's will see 10 teams compete instead of 14.
The new system, which will start at the 2019 tournament, will see the top-eight ranked sides qualify automatically, and two teams qualify via an associate tournament to be held in Bangladesh.
Joyce told BBC Sport: "I hate to say it, but this could be our last World Cup because it is going to be very difficult to get into that top eight and, with the qualifying tournament in Bangladesh, they are going to have a home advantage.
"We seem to be the only sport that has a World Cup that is contracting rather than expanding. I wholeheartedly disagree with the reasons for that. I do not think it is the way a sport should be run, especially one that speaks about expanding and trying to get bigger. I don't think we have a God-given right to be anywhere other than where we are.
"You want opportunity in life and that is being denied with this 10-team World Cup and the 20-over world cup is a 10 in all but name. Opportunities are obviously dwindling for sides outside the elite and that's obviously not ideal for trying to grab the game at home. There is an appetite, but we need an opportunity."
Ireland start their 2015 campaign against West Indies next Monday.
Charlie Bennett
