Lorgat revealed the initiative at an ICC members' forum

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a �150m plan to develop the game worldwide.

New ICC chief executive officer Haroon Lorgat described it as "the biggest investment in global development by any sport outside football".

The ICC pledged more than �20m a year for seven years from 2009 to help its 94 associate and affiliate members, including Scotland and Ireland.

"We want to challenge world cricket's existing order," said Lorgat.

"We want to develop better players and structures on and off the field, giving everyone the chance to be the best they can be."

Currently, associates get only rare opportunities to rub shoulders with the elite, mainly at the World Cup one-day international tournament.

As well as its 10 full-member nations, the ICC also has 34 associates and 60 affiliates.