Why the ICC's "10 teams only" World Cup won't work

[al Furqaan]

From 2015 onwards, the 50-over world cup will be limited to only the best 10 teams. In order to assure the Associate nations, who would undoubtedly be incensed by such elitism, the ICC has stated that Associate teams will have a shot at qualifying for the world cup.

What does this mean and is it likely to work?

The answer to that lies squarely on the shoulder of Bangladesh and Bangladesh alone. Indeed, the fate of Associate cricket lies in the Bay of Bengal.

At the moment, Bangladesh sit on 66 points in the official ICC ratings, 9th place, and just fractions away from the West Indies. Not terribly long ago, we had zero points and were placed 11th place, behind non-Test-playing Kenya. Bangladesh's rise to halfway to the top, in terms of points, has been slow and gradual, consuming nearly 7 years.

As such, it is highly possible for Bangladesh to jump into the top 8 for the forseeable future, as an enourmous tussel with the West Indies is likely to develop. Indeed, any player strike, even short term, on the part of the Windies may be enough to give Bangladesh a sizeable buffer.

Similarily, New Zealand's current form indicates that they will be hard pressed to win matches outside of the comforts of home. Currently, NZ has a 25 point advantage over us, but that is gap that can be closed by 2015.

What this means is that it possible in the near future for 2 historically top sides to be ranked lower than Bangladesh and for at least one of them to fall into the situation of having to qualify for the World Cup alongside teh associates.

It is not difficult to imagine that this will not go down well with the boards involved, and the remaining power brokers in the ICC (namely the BCCI, CA, and ECB) will do well to realize that the coming decade may see them in the same situation.

Thus I'm not so sure that the ICC can hold onto this elitist concept of "top 8 teams qualify, everyone else needs to fight". This is inherently a design meant to keep Bangladesh out, and fortunately for us, we are on the verge of crashing the party.

The hopes and success of the Associates depends on Bangladesh.

[Night_wolf]

Really good article..agree its a plot to keep BD on its toe..and BD's fate remain on BD herself

[Ajfar]

Well NZ, WI will never have to fight to qualify for the world cup even if they were to fall below us in the ranking table because they are full member nations. And as a full member nation they automatically get qualified for the world cup. The first time they had a 8 top tournament was ICC champions trophy and I doubt we'll see that tournament exist in the next FTP. Asaad bhai what you are saying will only happen if teams like Ireland/Zim/Afghanistan start moving up the order while NZ and WI continues to go down the order. Even though WI and NZ cricket might look like it is in a state of bother, but I can't see them becoming so hopeless that they will not even be in the top 10 and be a test nation.

[Dilscoop]

What I feel is 50 over WC should be 12-15 teams, 3 groups of 4 or 5 teams. For T20, ICC can easily include at least 20 teams. Those asso teams will put up a fight in T20, and it's about time when they include them in something

[al-Sagar]

think of football wc, how all teams have to go through qualifiers.....

may be cricket has to think of some think like that.

all test, associate, non associate all will play qualifiers and finally the best 8 will play in the FINALS

[Roni_uk]

25 points - aye (behind NZ)? How many matches do we need to win to gain 25 points? Give us these matches ICC, pleaseeee!!

[al Furqaan]

Originally Posted by bangladesh_sy
Well NZ, WI will never have to fight to qualify for the world cup even if they were to fall below us in the ranking table because they are full member nations. And as a full member nation they automatically get qualified for the world cup. The first time they had a 8 top tournament was ICC champions trophy and I doubt we'll see that tournament exist in the next FTP. Asaad bhai what you are saying will only happen if teams like Ireland/Zim/Afghanistan start moving up the order while NZ and WI continues to go down the order. Even though WI and NZ cricket might look like it is in a state of bother, but I can't see them becoming so hopeless that they will not even be in the top 10 and be a test nation.

you didn't understand the setup properly, Ajfar.

ICC cannot, at least openly, bar the associates from world cups. they can't even keep BD and ZIM out, even though they want to. therefore, they must have some tournament from which the last 2 spots in a 10 team WC are decided.

As it currently stands, BD and ZIM would join the 6 associates who have ODI status in an 8 team tourney where the top 2 sides would join the top 8 in the world cup. Thus theoretically Afghanistan and even Kenya have a shot.

However, this was decided before our 4-0 banglawash of NZ. Prior to that time, no one - not even us - could have imagined BD being ranked higher than even the crappiest top 8 side.

However, now thats changed. We are level with WI, where a single series can change our rankings. and if NZ continues at the pace they're going, by the 2015 world cup, they may be ranked lower than us. Remember Shakib wants us in top 5 by that time.

Suppose BD are ranked 6th or even 7th. ICC can't make us qualify with the associates. But the can't get WI/NZ to do so either even though their rank would merit it. The Big teams might also refuse. Its obvious how absolutely mediocre Australia is. They are losing to England at HOME. Granded england is a formidable side, but england's batting lineup is slightly better than average and their bowling is nowhere near the 2005 level.

Therefore, mark my words, after this world cup is over...ICC will change the format of the tourney yet again.

I think the present format is the best. 6 associate teams might be too many, and 4 seems a good amount as it covers most of the ODI status countries, and gives them all some thing to fight for. Everyone is also guaranteed a good number of group games.

[Raynman]

Originally Posted by offstump
think of football wc, how all teams have to go through qualifiers.....

may be cricket has to think of some think like that.

all test, associate, non associate all will play qualifiers and finally the best 8 will play in the FINALS

exactly. Only automatic qualification for host(s).

See this post below

http://www.banglacricket.com/alochon...1&postcount=11

[al Furqaan]

i dont have a problem with all 10 test teams getting freebie berths into every WC tourney. but associates must be included. true, only Afghanistan and Ireland look capable of beating a top side in 50 overs, but the likes of canada and holland cannot be left out for elitist reasons.

associates make world cups richer, not shabbier.