Australian captain Michael Clarke says he has reservations about the International Cricket Council’s proposed plans to cut the number of competing teams in the 2015 World Cup.
A decision on whether the number of nations is reduced is expected to be made in Mumbai on Monday following a meeting of the ICC’s executive board, and Clarke has spoken out in support of the minnow nations who will likely feel the axe if the tournament is culled.
The ICC has previously indicated it will cut the number of teams taking part from 14 to 10, however ESPNcricinfo.com reported on Monday that a 12-team model is also on the table for discussion.
The World Cup format has been heavily criticised for the length of time between team’s group matches and as a result, taking six weeks to complete the event.
Clarke agreed that the structure could be improved, but said that shouldn’t necessarily be at the expense of the developing countries – with Ireland most notably adding much needed excitement to the recent World Cup.
“I really enjoy seeing the minnow teams getting an opportunity to be honest, I guess it’s up to the ICC to work out whatever they think is in the betterment of the game, obviously that’s their priority,” said Clarke, who despite his concerns backed the body to make the right call.
“I think the two World Cups I’ve been involved in have been fantastic.
“It certainly does feel between games like you have a long period when you’ve got six or seven days between games, but I’ve enjoyed seeing all the minnow teams play.
“I think we’ve seen throughout this World Cup there was a few upsets where there was some great cricket played.
“I’m certain the ICC are looking to improve the game of cricket … what we want to see is people all around the world, male and female playing this great game.”
Ireland scored one of the biggest upsets in the history of the game when they toppled England with an incredible run-chase last month, while the Irish also made the Super eight stage in 2007 when they beat Pakistan.
The ICC presently has 10 full-member nations, meaning if the Cup was cut to 10 teams, the minnow countries which also include the likes of Kenya, the Netherlands and Canada, would struggle to qualify.
While Ireland proved their ability to match it with the big guns, the heavy losses suffered by teams like Canada and Kenya have prompted speculation the ICC will tighten up the tournament.
A 12-team tournament would give the associate nations a better chance of winning a spot and would provide the same formula as was used for the 1996 World Cup.
B2
Roar Rookie
Well Done anybody who supports Globalisation of Cricket! Let there be more teams , Let there be a longer tournament , we may see some more World beaters like The Irish. Don't spoil the party! This World Cup 2011 was a huge success and Let's have another like it! Countries hosting The World Cup who need financial assistance please contact THE BCCI
B2
Roar Rookie
This is not a election for Head of State.There are rules governing status of citizens and once they are complied with do not tread on those toes!
B2
Roar Rookie
If you keep The Netherlands and Canada out you might as well keep Australia and England out for the same reason! Let's face it you might only have The West Indians and the 4 Asian Tigers left as AUTHENTIC along with maybe Kenya and Afghanistan!
Vim
Guest
The ICC certainly would have a problem with it. As would James Sutherland.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Anyone have a problem with this format? 12 teams divided into three groups. eg Group A: NZL, PAK, SLN, IRL Group B: AUS, ENG, WIN, NED Group C: IND, RSA, BAN, ZIM Top two of each group go to a Super Six phase, where each team play the four qualifiers from the other groups. Eg. Australia would play New Zealand, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa. The top four of the Super Six move to semis, and then final. All up, that would be 33 matches, compared to the 50-odd we get now. We keep the higher performing Associate Nations, while ditching the number of meaningless matches in the competition.
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
Reducing the number to 10 teams is a giant step back for cricket. Yes the format needs changing to reduce the lenght of the tourament. But excluding associate nations will ensure the game struggles to develop in those countries. Ireland must be particular seething considering they have beaten test playing nations in the last 2 world cups.
Jason
Guest
Good on Clarke for mentioning his disappointment although the whole "I'm sure the ICC know what they are doing" caveat is disappointing. On the decision itself, it's hard to think of a worse one that the ICC have done recently. The fact that Ireland are clearly a better team than Zimbabwe and The Netherlands are probably on a par should be enough for the ICC to want to have them in the next WC. What's really disappointing is that it seems that Cricket Australia are complicit in the decision even though it is their home WC. I reckon an Ireland v NZ game for instance would have been a great opportunity to play a WC game in a regional centre.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Brendon, So you support throwing England out of the World Cup, right ? Oh, and South Africa importing a legspinner should get them tossed as well.
Vim
Guest
The Word Cup is the one time for them to show what they can do on that sort of stage as most current test playing members don't play them very often. Hell, the Aussies barely ever play Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at home! I don't have a problem with Associate members being in the World Cup, what's does the cricket landscape have to gain by not allowing even 2 of them into the next tournament? Ireland might as well just become a County of the English system at this rate.
Russ
Guest
Brendon, given Canada played three teenagers, I think you can assume that those players developed their cricket in Canada even if they were born overseas - or do you have a problem with Henriques and Symonds playing for Australia ?
Brendon
Guest
A world cup should be about players representing their countries with most of them being born in that country. The fact that Canada had 13/15 of their players born outside of Canada is a complete and total pathetic joke. One of the two Canadian born players was John Davidson, a guy who has spent most of his time in Australia. If you think that is acceptable then I don't want to know what else you think is acceptable.
Chris
Guest
A World Cup should be about the best teams performing against each other and not used as a development tool. Providing regular competition for the 2nd tier teams seems like a far more useful tool that playing a handful of games at a World Cup every four years.
Brendon
Guest
Good on Clarke for speaking out unlike his predecessor. Main problem with this world cup was that they dragged out the 1st round too long. Other than that the format is fine. You talk about the tournament running 6 weeks but 4 weeks of that was the qualification 1st round. Knock off 5 days for that and shorten the knockout round by 2 days and its a 5 week tournament and who would complain about a 5 week tournament? Qualification round each team played 6 matches in a space of 29 days (groups of 7=6 matches). Ridiculous. Australia played England in a 7 match series in 21 days. There is absolutely no reason teams can't play 6 matches in 24 days. Even if they keep 12 teams thats going to be unfair to some teams. By 2015 it will be Ireland and Afghanistan likely to qualify but where does that leave Kenya? Kenya actually uses Kenyan players, unlike Netherlands and Canada who should never be allowed to play in a world cup.