Australia’s captain Aaron Finch has backed the World Cup to retain its current round-robin format for its next edition as the tournament hurtles towards the finals.
The ICC are yet to finalise the structure and amount of teams for the next World Cup, which will be held in India in 2023.
It is likely to be discussed at their annual conference next month, which follows the July 14 final at Lord’s.
At 45 days it is longer than the FIFA World Cup which involves 32 teams, albeit with an entirely different structure given there are eight groups in that one.
But Finch said he believed the current system had worked, given it meant a fairer path through to the finals for the four teams who qualify.
“I really like the idea of having everyone play each other,” Finch said.
“Compared to the last World Cup, when you’re in groups, you can sort of dodge teams.
“For example, we didn’t play South Africa in the last World Cup, and they were a great side in that World Cup.
“It would be nice to get some more teams in there but then I think you’re looking at a tournament that goes probably a bit too long.
“I personally think the balance is really good at the moment.”
World Cup organisers have been saved by England’s poor form last week and Pakistan’s turnaround.
At one stage before Sri Lanka defeated England last Friday, it looked as if there could be seven dead rubbers in the last 19 games of the tournament.
But with the finals race back alive, it’s likely that only two games in the last week of the round-robin stage will have no bearing on the semi-finals.
The 10 teams playing in the 2019 edition is the least since the 1992 tournament, which was played in Australia and New Zealand.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Thanks Paul I overlooked ZIM, but who doesn"t nowadays. Perhaps I'd subconsciously assumed Mugabe's previous masterful economic management had resulted in the demise of TV availability given estimated purchase price of 1 Million ZIM dollars! Anyway probably moot discussion. We now have a 3 year relatively even competition of the 12 full members plus Netherlands (each team playing 8x 3-match series, 4 home & 4 away) who have to battle it out to make the final 10 of what can now be more properly considered as the "finals" of the WC. Perhaps NED, IRE and ZIM don't make the cut and we end up with same teams again as this year! Though should probably be kept to 8 teams to make the 3 year qualification comp truly cut throat.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Jeff On point 2, Ireland and Ziimbabwe both have Test status, so one assumes they're considered strong enough to be competitive in that format. In any event, if the ICC announce within the next 3 months that another 2 teams could make the Cup, I'd bet there'd be plenty of activity within member nations to improve their sides, to make the Cup. Om point 3, I'm not a fan of this suggestion and I'm pretty sure the ICC wouldn't be too keen either. There are already significant advantages going the way of the stronger teams and this only increases the gap. On paper, India for example, could have a squad of 25 players with one team laying the tough sides and the "b" team playing the minnows. Part of any tournament is how sides manage their squads and more importantly, how players lift after a weeks and weeks of high intensity matches. Keeping squad numbers fairly low allows this to happen and it's already having an effect on England and maybe even the Kiwis, after last night's effort.
Brasstax
Guest
Squad sizes should be 18 instead of 15.
Brasstax
Guest
Same round robin format with 10 teams and 2 games day to shorten the run time but i want best of 3 semi finals and final so we are doubly sure that the better team won and does not get knocked out because of one off day which can happen in sports.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
1) Yes, double headers on a Friday and Saturday and possibly mid-week. I don't want to see to many double-headers per week (i'd prefer 2, but could live with 3) as diminishes opportunity to watch most matches. For NZ, this means D/N game finishes at 3am, day games at 12am. Not an issue for AUS (all time zones), BAN/SL/IND/PAK/AFG (or Asian Associates), SAF (7am start day games). Foe ENG/IRE (and European Associates) i's fine (6am start). Perhaps only WIN is an issue. 2) Not sure the depth of world cricket currently allows for 12 teams if the WC is a premier event. 3) Squads should be unlimited, with teams choosing from any player that played in the lead-in League points games - 2023 WC is supposed to be the exclamation point on the 3 prior years where teams vie for WC ranking points in the bilateral series, so I see no problem in being able to play previously used players.
Paul
Roar Guru
The format may be fair enough and there might even be room for expansion to 12 teams to encourage the lesser nations, but it takes far too long. Sides should play with a maximum of 3 full days rest between games, travel time should be minimized wherever possible and squads should be increased by at least 2 or 3 players to help manage injuries and workloads. The tournament will be in India and there are lots of suitable venues so 2 games per day should be played as well. If there are 12 teams, this should allow 6 teams to play finals, thus increasing interest.