ICC confirms 10 teams for next two World Cups

[vvvslaxman]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/apr/03/icc-world-cup-2015 ICC to decide on 2015 World Cup format on Monday • Number of countries likely to be cut to 10 • Haroon Lorgat offers chink of hope to associate nations A decision on the number of teams that will take part in the next World Cup is set to be determined by the International Cricket Council following a meeting of its executive board in Mumbai on Monday. The ICC has previously stated it would cut the number of competing teams from 14 to 10 for the 2015 tournament in Australia and New Zealand. The format of the World Cup has been criticised for being too long, with India's success in the final on Saturday arriving six weeks after they opened the tournament against Bangladesh. A reduction in the number of competing teams is likely to see the number of associate members reduced after teams such as Canada and Kenya suffered some heavy defeats. "The length of 50 overs will find certain teams out but I think there are 10 teams that can seriously compete in that format," the ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat told Sky Sports News. "That's a debate we are still finalising; in fact the board meeting over the next two days will consider that and will determine which teams will play in the 2015 World Cup." The ICC currently has 10 full member nations with Zimbabwe the only one of those not a Test-playing country. There may, however, be scope for at least one of the associate nations to play in the tournament with the ICC still yet to reveal how qualification would take place. While the associate nations struggled at the recent tournament Ireland proved their ability to compete with the full members, highlighted by their victory over England. The Irish also reached the Super Eight stage four years ago when they beat Pakistan.

[ganeshran]

I think 12 countries should be fine.

[Holysmoke]

12 teams, 3 groups of 4, super 6, semis and finals.

[Sachin=GOD]

They should not, under any circumstances reduce the number of associate nations. The format may be the same but its the schedule that has to be changed and they've got to have 2 matches per day. That would solve a lot of problems and there won't be many complaints of the tournament being unnecessarily long.

[ganeshran]

ICC would most likely go with a safe schedule that doesnt see any of the major nations drop out unless they suffer from a string of defeats

[yoda]

I think we should stick to the 2011 format. :--D

[Precambrian]

Two of the associates should go. 12 is just fine imho. Saves many matches.

[zen]

2 groups .... top 2 from each grp make it to the semis We can have QF like scenario in the grp stages itself with 2 or more teams being equal on points. This will make almost every game in the grp stage interesting too PS this format is good too but you should have patience till the QF starts :P

[Malik_Bhai]

i'm happy as anyone that india won the world cup, but the specialty of the world cup is cut short, by the fact that there are only 10 countries which play first class cricket, and those teams play constantly against each other in tours, trophies and tri series during the year. while its great you cant compare it to a mass sport wc like say football or olympics. and now they wont to shorten it? if anything, the should try to introduce more teams, although its highly unlikely, that anymore join.. :( and start knock out phase earlier.. 4x4 teams maybe...but what do i know..

[vvvslaxman]

Group - A India. Bangladesh, Holland Group - B Australia, Ireland, Kenya Group A winner vs Group B 2nd Group B winner vs Group A 2nd Group - C Pakistan, Srilanka, , West Indies Group - D NZ, England, South Africa Group C winner vs Group D 2nd Grou D winner vs Group C 2nd

[satyam1729]

i'm happy as anyone that india won the world cup, but the specialty of the world cup is cut short, by the fact that there are only 10 countries which play first class cricket, and those teams play constantly against each other in tours, trophies and tri series during the year. while its great you cant compare it to a mass sport wc like say football or olympics. and now they wont to shorten it? if anything, the should try to introduce more teams, although its highly unlikely, that anymore join.. :( and start knock out phase earlier.. 4x4 teams maybe...but what do i know..

TBH In football only 8 countries have realistic chance of winning. Rest of them are for numbers.

[Manny_Pacquiao]

same format, better scheduling to shorten the length of the tournament would be ideal.

[vvvslaxman]

I think super 6 format might be reintroduced

[WC2011INDIA]

I think the format should be same as this year's world cup, but with all test playing nations getting automatic entry and 2 BEST minnows being part of the competition. Zimbabwe is going to retain test status sometime in May 2011. I don't think they deserve it though. They should hold a mini associate nations competition. From that the winner and runner-up should get entry to world cup 2015.

[rajmarie]

I think super 6 format might be reintroduced

I hope not. Super 6 or Super 8 WCs are not interesting at all. 12 teams...2 groups...QF, SF, F.

[Cricket Tragic]

I'd like 12 teams as well. You don't want too many minnows (though I love watching them play) and yet you want some newer teams competing.

[Vikas Bhatt]

World Cup format needs a DRASTIC change. The best format would be a combination of 92 and 99 ones. 1] Play a qualifying tournament for bottom rung associates to ensure only 2 deserving sides make the cup. 2] Play 10 teams - 2 groups with one qualifying minnow each. 3] Ensure top 6/8 test teams play each other once. A super 6/8 where the top teams of both groups cross over to play top teams of other group. 4] Ensure points are not rigged and teams don't cheat to manipulate which team they want to see out of the tournament in face of NRRs becoming king. To avoid this flaw of 1999 edition make all points from group to supers count. Top 4 on the ponts make the semis. 5] 2 matches a day with a reserve day to continue a weather effected match. Overall it will fit into 3-4 weeks easily. It's pointless if an Indo-Pak, SA-Aus or an Eng-Aus match doesn't happen because of group standings and pre-decided set of rules if merely a QF round is to decide the semi-finalists as has been seen in a couple of editions. This edition the Ashes rivals and SA-Aus missed playing each other as there was no super 6 or super 8 and we wasted playing days with too many minnow sides for no use at all. had we topped the group or Pak come in second in group A WE WOULD HAVE MISSED A CLASSIC iNDO-PAK MATCH AS WELL. 3 minnows per group was an overkill and it came at the expense of top sides fighting top games. How many of you agree with this? :hatsoff:

[NareshK]

I want every match in the league stage to be competitive and significant. It would be boring if the top teams qualify for the knock outs just by beating the minnows.

[meloveindia]

as long as India wins, kucch bhi chalega

[Cricket Tragic]

It is going to be 10 teams for the next 2 WCs. Format is not decided but might be like the one in 1992. 2015 in Aus and NZ 2019 in England