There has been much gnashing of teeth - including at The Reverse Sweep - at the format of this World Cup with its elongated 42 match group phase. But this is not the fault of the four Associate countries that are present. On the contrary in fact. The organisers are so scared that one or more of the top teams could be upset like India and Pakistan were in 2007, that they have devised a format which pretty much ensures that none of the minnows can get through to the quarter-finals.
With the number of teams due to participate in the 2015 World Cup likely to be cut to 10, this could be the last hurrah for the minnows on the big stage. Once again the ICC have got it wrong. They have a duty to grow the sport around the world by getting more countries involved. 16 teams organised into four groups of four is the right format - 24 games instead of 42 and if one of the big teams gets knocked out, so be it.
Strengths
Err… the element of surprise?
Weaknesses
Where do we start? Suffice to say that it is unlikely that any of the four minnows will win the three games they will probably need to progress through the group stage.
Main men
Looking at the line-ups, there are a few gems hidden amongst the eager but limited squads. Rizwan Cheema certainly showed he can hit a cricket ball during Canada’s narrow warm-up defeat to England. Ryan ten Doeschate is the Netherlands stand out player. Ed Joyce is back with Ireland following some harsh treatment from the England selectors and Steve Tikolo may nearly be old enough to qualify for his bus pass, but he is still Kenya’s standout player.
Look out for…
All the supporters at the Netherlands matches wearing dark glasses on account of their shockingly bright orange pyjamas.
Prediction
There may be the odd shock, but all four minnows will exit at the group stage much to the relief of the organisers.
Where next?
World Cup Team previews: Part 1 - India: Glory or effigies?
World Cup Team Previews: Part 2 - South Africa: Don't mention the 'C' word...
World Cup Team Previews: Part 3 - Bangladesh: Shock & Awe
World Cup Team Previews: Part 4 - West Indies: Calypso or Collapso?
World Cup Team Previews: Part 5 - England: How far can resilience take them?
Our XI to shine at the World Cup
What Cricket can learn from Football in staging a World Cup
Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes
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It's part of the romance of a knock-out competition: the upset. The smaller unfancied team outplaying a side of overpaid superstars. When Ireland made it through to the super-eights in 2007 their players had a real problem: how do we get the extra time off work? I hope for a similar Cinderella story this time. Canada's Rizwan Cheema smashed 93 off 70 deliveries against England in a sparkling innings that was easily the best batting performance for either team. If he can replicate this in the Tournament, and Canada can sort out their top order, you can expect more upsets!
Posted by: Pjacommittee | Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 21:20
Yep, totally agree with you Pjacommittee, the ICC need to strike a balance bwtweeh spreading the game around the world and restricting the length of the WC. 16 teams organised into four groups of four would do exactly that, and if one of the big sides gets knocked out early cest le vie.
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Friday, February 18, 2011 at 14:21
10 test playing nation should not qualify automatically for the world cup. My idea is that ICC must give 16 teams to qualify for the world cup through mini WORLD CUP which can be held a year before the actual world cup. ICC must put 4 test playing nation along with 6 associate teams in group of two. In group stage 3 teams from each group qualify to make 6 teams advance.
However, there is a catch. The team that tops the group, must get a bye match qualification, and bottom 4 teams should compete a one match qualification to semifinal. All 4 teams that make semifinal should qualify for the actual world cup.
This same format should also be adopted for the world cup of 10 teams in 2015.
Posted by: da punjabi | Friday, February 18, 2011 at 16:44
Suffice to say that it is unlikely that any of the four minnows will win the three games they will probably need to progress through the group stage.q
Posted by: dioxide | Thursday, September 01, 2011 at 22:16