Do you like dead rubbers? Then you are going to love the cricket World Cup. Why? Because the entire 42-match group phase of this once-great tournament does not matter.
Fourteen teams will zigzag across two countries and, match-fixing commitments aside, desperately try to win games.
Fans will pay good money to pack the grounds and broadcasters will pay colossal money to beam the games into the subcontinent.
And it will all be for nothing.
Why? Because at the end of this exhausting glut of cricket, the 14 teams will be whittled down to eight quarter-finalists.
But here’s the thing: only eight countries know how to play cricket.
What madness is this? After 25,200 balls, played over an entire month, we arrive at sudden-death quarter-finals involving the only eight sides who didn’t need to advertise for players in their local newspapers.
That’s right, the quarter-finalists will be Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and England.
Don’t believe me? Just look at the betting.
Australia are favourites at $3.75. The next six teams are tightly bunched, with Pakistan seventh favourite at $10 and then there is a small gap to the West Indies at $17. Here are the odds for the remaining six teams, presented in full in all their ludicrous splendour.
Bangladesh: $67
Ireland: $225
Zimbabwe: $275
Afghanistan: $500
Scotland: $1500
UAE: $2500
Now, I am all in favour of these six nations playing in the World Cup – the game must grow. I also respect the huge passion for cricket in Bangladesh and have been delighted by the development in the strength of Ireland and Afghanistan.
No doubt the ICC would point to upsets that have occurred in past World Cups, and no doubt they would argue there are advantages of finishing first rather than fourth in a group.
I acknowledge the truth in these arguments, but also label them pathetic.
Almost every match in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup mattered and mattered a lot. It is quite possible that not one of the 42 group matches of the ICC World Cup will matter at all.
Oh, and the solution? Simply remove the quarter-finals.
If only the top two in each group went through to semi-finals then every match would suddenly take on great significance. The tournament would remain exciting and relevant throughout the long group phase, and the developing nations would still gain experience and exposure.
But as it stands, Australia could pick me and ten other drunks to play (and lose) against England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
They could then send out a Sydney-grade cricket team to beat Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland, and waltz serenely into the quarter-finals before handing over to Michael Clarke and the boys.
I find it all very hard to fathom. In fact, if I didn’t know better, I’d say the ICC seem to be a touch incompetent.
timmy
Guest
author is 100% spot on. a month of farce. out of the top 8 countries. 4 countries will play 1 game that matters. 2 will play 2. and the other 2 will play 3. that's it...thanks for nothing WC 2015.....bring back 1999 format!!
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
4 groups of 4 with top 2 teams making the quarters. That's a 31 match tournament. Any more than this is just too long
the real news
Guest
I see your point Paul but I don't think the round robin games are completely meaningless for most teams as the 1/4s are seeded. Australia probably aren't too bothered by who they meet in the 1/4s but most other teams will be looking to win the earlier games to set up an easier quarter final. I know as a NZ fan I will be hoping we win a few in the group stage to secure a quarter final in wellington vs West indies rather than traveling to Adelaide to face South Africa. Also despite predictions like yours most world cups usually feature a number of upsets and Kenya, Zimbabwe and Ireland have all made the playoffs at the expense of the top sides in recent tournaments so i don't think the quarter finalists are as certain as you claim.
Ra
Guest
Well I'm not bored with any of it. What say I take your seat in the members stand and actively protest by my presence, on your behalf - that's a win-win !
Ra
Guest
Sevens rugby seems to have it worked out with it's sectioning system. It produces winners at each level of competency. Allows the minnow to scrap it out for a trophy and the top dogs to have their days under the floodlights, by the time the finish.
Ra
Guest
Yes and many many elitist sports people in the world started from poor and humble beginnings. Their skill in their chosen Sports gave them the opportunity to perform for the likes of you and me. Lest we forget, because a lot of them don't.
Paul Dennett
Guest
As I said in the article, "I am all in favour of these six nations playing in the World Cup – the game must grow. I also respect the huge passion for cricket in Bangladesh and have been delighted by the development in the strength of Ireland and Afghanistan." All I'm advocating is the removal of quarter finals - this will make the 42 group games much more meaningful.
Ra
Guest
You've got a "so what?" remark from me Paul.So just because you've picked your top 8 teams in the world the others should stay home. Talk about one-eyed gloat is all I see in your spurge here. We've just seen an unheralded Germany take out the coveted soccer premiership. I loved watching the minnow nations at the RLWC and RWC. If we take your attitude, then 100s of nations should be kicked out of competing at Olympics and Commonwealth Games. It's lucky the rest of the world don't. The difference between you and your yobbo mates playing and a team representing Fiji for example is they are representing their country against the odds. And one of the best things for any sport is when a minnow tips over one of the big names. That lives like fire for years to come. Just as anyone from Munster about the 1972-73 All Blacks, and time will stand still. And Bangladesh and Kenya have a few big cricket scalps hanging up in their mud huts, so let the games begin. No we don't take that attitude
Armchair Expert
Guest
I agree, I think the 92 world cup was the only world cup where every team played each other once and the top 4 played off in the semi finals, the only format that gives every team an equal chance.
Vats
Guest
Totally agree! Whoever thought of this quarter final format should try their hand at making a sport out of watching grass grow. Even if money is the foremost consideration, nobody will be interested in watching England vs Whatsitsplace in inconsequential games. Going straight to the semi-finals only takes away 4 games and adds much more edge to most of the 42 before it, so it makes financial sense too.
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
My prediction:42 match group stage will produce atleast 3 upsets
Zain Ali
Guest
I don't know what are you trying to express ? Its true that BCCI Dominates in ICC but its also a matter of Fact that Cricket is one of the most famous games on planet according to population, and you are saying waste of time ? FIFA is also a waste of time for Asian Nations in terms of team support as only 4 or 5 teams are allowed from the biggest continent on the planet, where as most no. of teams qualify from Europe. yes i can see money speaking then why you people are jealous of BCCI's holds in ICC, i am a Pakistan but on this way of mocking my Game's biggest event, i am here to defend. and atleast we wait for 4 years for this Global event so we can enjoy the best of Cricket for more than a month, A Worldcup is a Global event which promotes the game as well as love for it, although Cricket is also getting commercialized but not as Football and others games are where we rearly see an International game in days and clubs are making money throughout the year. The followers of cricket follows it with passion. if only England from Europe can compete in this competition in a good manner and other European teams are treated in a kid's manner, then its not our fault. its your fault ! stay blessed :)
JGK
Roar Guru
I love cricket but the CWC will inevitably bore me to tears. I am bored with the Soccer World Cup after 4 weeks - 6 weeks will be excruciating. In addition, I am staging a one man protest at being charged to go see the matches at the SCG even though I am a member.
Ann Ominous
Guest
Great comment!
Paul Dennett
Guest
I'm not saying the minnows should be excluded. As i said in the article, "I am all in favour of these six nations playing in the World Cup – the game must grow. I also respect the huge passion for cricket in Bangladesh and have been delighted by the development in the strength of Ireland and Afghanistan." I'm simply saying that the quarter finals should be removed.
James
Guest
I know exactly what you're talking about Paul, you're right, & being a Rugby fan as well, the same thing happens with the Rugby world cup. Too many group games that take too long to complete & the tournament loses it's continuity until the QF's start. It's why I want the RWC to go back to the 16 team format (rather than the current 20 team model). Less bloated, more competitive games, more meaningful games, & more continuity. Then on top of that I would have a second tier 16 team Rugby world cup (obviously wouldn't be called the RWC) played midway through the 4 year RWC cycle which doubles as a qualifying tournament for the real thing. Much like what happens with U20's Rugby at present. They have the Junior World Champs & the second tier, Junior World Trophy.
James
Guest
They had that format at the 2007 West Indies tournament didn't they? I mean, I know they went into the Super 8 instead of quarterfinals but the group stage was the same & it resulted in exactly the disaster you're talking about because India & Pakistan were knocked out. The two nations, who due to their enormous populations, make up the vast majority of interest & revenue in the game.
Shouts Chen
Guest
They've got the AFL and NRL which coincides with the cricket World Cup.
Glenn Innes
Guest
When it comes to sport I am an elitist after all that is what pro sport is about.Eight teams in two groups of four all playing each other once the top two head to the semi finals and then onto the final is how this tournament should be run - the same applies to the Rugby World cup.. Instead we have to sit through endless "filler"as a kind of con job that nobody falls for that cricket/Rugby are popular games in lots of countries when the gap between those countries that can play the game and the rest is massive.
Bobbo7
Guest
The WC is great. Most sports would only have 5 or so competitors if you were only interested in those who could realistically win. I suppose the writer would want to get rid of half of EPL games on the basis they are effectively a waste of time. And more than 8 teams can play cricket. Sure Ireland etc are no world beaters but they are improving as are Afganistan and it's fair to say the nation needs something positive to get behind. On the basis of this reasoning the Socceroos were a waste of time at the WC. Well I know a lot of people who got a lot of joy out of watching them play reasonably well and losing. And at the Rugby World Cup I enjoy watching the small nations take on the All Blacks. You can see it means so much to them to be on the big stage.