The ICC Executive Board on Monday confirmed that the next two World Cups will be 10-team events and also announced that teams will be relegated and promoted on the basis of performance in the ODI league after the 2019 World Cup in England.
The Board had decided in October 2010 to reduce the number of participating teams in the flagship event of the game, which means that small nations, mostly Associate members will not get the chance to play at the big stage.
The 2015 tournament will be held in Australia and New Zealand.
“The Board agreed that the 2015 World Cup will comprise the existing 10 Full Members, however, they gave notice to all Full Members that participation in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup will be determined on the basis of qualification,” an ICC statement said.
“It was also agreed that post the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 there will be promotion and relegation introduced in the ODI League.”
The Board though in its October meeting had decided that the ICC World Twenty20 will comprise 16 teams. This would allow six Associates the opportunity to participate in an ICC global event every two years.
The Board have a thumbs up to the successful organisation of the 2011 World Cup by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
“This ICC Cricket World Cup has been very successful and memorable. Whatever we achieved was due to the full support of the governments of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India.
“And in particular I would place on record our gratitude to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rakapakse who are ardent followers of our great sport,” ICC President Sharad Pawar said in a statement.
“The tournament reinforced the attraction of 50 over cricket and showed the enthusiasm and excitement generated by nation v nation cricket. There is no doubt that this event has been a great advertisement for ODI cricket,” he said.
Keywords: Cricket World Cup 2015, Associates, Haroon Lorgat
All 14 teams plus any more teams may come up must be included in World Cup 2015 and 2019. Matches with junior teams give major teams to try out their players and get right practice and familiarities with local conditions of the cup venue. The final selection of Indian team took place after trying all players during initial matches with minors. An ideal compromise can be like this: [ Only 10 major teams are competing for the Cup. Additional minor teams should be at the venue of the cup. All major teams play minor teams as practice games and to get in shape. Results of these matches are not counted towards the cup. The incentive and rewards for minor teams to perform at 100 % should be worked out. The reward can be that two best teams of the minors can be included in the expanded teams in 2019 cup which can have 12 teams instead of 10.]
ICC's decision to go with 10 teams is disappointing. It could have had 12 teams instead of 14. In my opinion teams like Ireland deserve to play with the test teams. I personally recomend that ICC have a associate tournament(which they already have) and 4 best teams should be selected. These teams should play in the domestic circuit of big test nations and should participate in all three forms of the game(not just ODI &T20). Then the best 2 teams should be selected. However, this would require cooperation between ICC and respective cricket associations and faith in these associate teams. ICC has to pump in money in these associate nations because most of the players of such teams are semi-professionals or they play part time. Hence it requires lost of infrastructure and investment in these nations. These associate tournaments should be held within one year of the conclusion of the world cup and 4 best teams should be sent to the domestic circuit for the period of 3 years and best 2 should be selected. This will give a competitive edge to the team and is great for the sport as a whole.
It's a good decision by ICC. but i think small teams should be give chance for the ICC world cup
Hope the triumph of 2011 should give inspiration to upcoming young players to work hard to repeat the out come of 2011 in 2015.I wish that the cricket of India to be on top always. Wish cricket in India all the good luck and good wishes.
ICC's decision will suffocate the minnows. Its absolutely unhealthy for the real growth of cricket. More T20s will only bring short-tempered sportspersons to the game. Real character development in cricket is the TEST and the ODIs.
I am not too sure whether this game will last till 2019. its glamour is already fading away in cricket playing nations except the south Asian countries. Too much of cricket is killing its interest amongst the masses. This game is not making headway in new countries. IPL following the World Cup will be a test to this face and I am sure the excitement for IPL will not remain same this year. Too much is over killing the game.
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