Why the Cricket World Cup 2023 will have only 10 Teams?

Why the Cricket World Cup 2023 will have only 10 Teams?

The Cricket World Cup is the biggest and most prestigious event in the sport, where the best teams from around the world compete for the ultimate glory. However, not every team gets a chance to participate in this mega event, as the number of teams is limited by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body of cricket.

The 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted by India, will be the 13th edition of the tournament. It will also be the second consecutive edition that will feature only 10 teams, unlike the previous editions that had 12 or 14 teams. In this article, we will see Why the Cricket World Cup 2023 will have only 10 Teams? What are the reasons behind this decision? And what are the implications for the game and its development?

Why the Cricket World Cup 2023 will have only 10 Teams?

The main reason for reducing the number of teams in the World Cup is to make it more competitive and exciting. The ICC believes that having fewer teams will ensure that every match is meaningful and high-quality, and that there will be no one-sided or boring games. The ICC also wants to avoid long and drawn-out tournaments that can lose the interest of the fans and the broadcasters.

The ICC has also introduced a new qualification pathway for the World Cup, which is based on a league system rather than a knockout system. The 2020–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League is a tournament that involves 13 teams: the 12 Full Members of the ICC and the Netherlands, who qualified by winning the 2015–2017 ICC World Cricket League Championship. Each team plays four home and four away three-match series against eight of the other twelve teams.

The top seven teams in the Super League table, along with India, who qualify automatically as hosts, will gain direct entry into the World Cup. The remaining five teams will have to play in the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, along with five Associate teams, to decide the final two spots for the World Cup.

The ICC claims that this qualification system will provide more opportunities and exposure for all teams, especially the lower-ranked and emerging ones, to play against the top teams and improve their skills and standards. The ICC also hopes that this system will create more interest and context for bilateral ODI series, which are often seen as irrelevant or meaningless.

Critics of this Decision

However, not everyone is happy with this decision of having only 10 teams in the World Cup. Many critics and fans argue that this decision is unfair and detrimental to the growth and development of cricket around the world. They point out that having fewer teams will reduce the chances of upsets and surprises, which are often the most memorable and thrilling moments of any World Cup. They also contend that having fewer teams will exclude many talented and deserving players and teams from showcasing their skills and potential on the biggest stage. They also fear that having fewer teams will widen the gap between the top and bottom teams, and discourage new and emerging nations from taking up cricket.

Some of the most vocal critics of this decision are former players and officials from Associate nations, who have been fighting for more recognition and representation in international cricket. They believe that having more teams in the World Cup will help them develop their cricket infrastructure, attract more sponsors and funding, inspire more youngsters to take up cricket, and create more fan following and media attention. They also argue that having more teams in the World Cup will make it more diverse and inclusive, reflecting the global nature and spirit of cricket.

Conclusion

The debate over Why the Cricket World Cup 2023 will have only 10 Teams is likely to continue until the next edition of the tournament. The ICC has said that it will review its decision after 2023, based on various factors such as performance, competitiveness, fan engagement, commercial viability, etc. Whether it will stick to its current format or revert to its previous format or adopt a new format remains to be seen. Until then, cricket fans can only hope that whatever format is chosen, it will serve the best interests of cricket and its stakeholders.

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