In the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting, the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup’s qualification pathway has been confirmed, which will be held in India and ICC has kept it a ten-team affair, like the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England.
In the recent ICC meeting in Singapore, the global cricket board has revamped the qualification structure for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. While it will begin from July 2019, 372 matches will be played in three different leagues across a 2-3 year qualification period (excluding the 2022 World Cup Qualifier). The top 32 teams will participate in this journey. Here are brief details of three different leagues for the qualification round for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup:
ICC CWC Super League (July 2020-2022): The 12 ICC full-members and the Netherlands will feature in this league that will be run around two years. A total of 156 matches will be played while each team will play 24 matches. The top seven teams and the hosts of 2023 ICC CWC (India) will directly qualify for the 2023 ICC CWC. Meanwhile, the bottom five teams will have to play the ICC 2022 ICC CWC Qualifier.
ICC CWC League 2 (July 2019-2021): Top 7 ranked Associate teams (Associate members ranking 14-20) will feature in this league that will be run for around two and a half year. Total 126 matches will be played as each team will play 36 matches. Top three teams of this league will qualify for the 2022 ICC CWC Qualifier while the bottom four teams will have to play the ICC CWC Qualifier play-off.
ICC CWC Challenge League (August 2019-2021): Next 12 Associate teams (Associate members ranking 21-32) will feature in this league that will be run for more than two years. The 12 teams will be divided into two groups, each consist with six teams. Total 90 matches will be played in this league while each team will play 15 matches. The champions from each group will qualify for the ICC CWC Qualifier play-off while the bottom two teams from each group will play the ICC CWC Challenge play-off.
More brief details about 2022 ICC CWC Qualifier
2022 ICC CWC Qualifier play-off: Total six teams will participate in this tournament. Bottom four teams from ICC CWC League 2 and top teams from each of two groups from ICC CWC Challenge League will qualify in this round. The top teams of this tournament will qualify for the 2022 ICC CWC Qualifier.
2022 ICC CWC Qualifier: Total 10 teams will participate in this tournament. Bottom five teams from ICC CWC Super League, top three teams from ICC CWC League 2 and top two teams from 2022 ICC CWC Qualifier play-off will qualify for this round. At the end of 2022 ICC CWC Qualifier, the top two teams will qualify for the 2023 ICC CWC.
New qualification pathway for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup approved at ICC Board meetings in Singapore. Videos interviews with David Richardson and William Glenwright available here https://t.co/lku9smgAt6 https://t.co/c1EZ2FgcUL via @icc pic.twitter.com/AlftPGsrGK
— ICC Media (@ICCMediaComms) October 20, 2018
Like the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England, the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup will also to be played between 10 teams. Despite facing huge criticism, especially from the top associated members and bottom full-members, ICC hasn’t shown yet their deep interest to increase the number of teams in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Talking about the new system, the ICC CEO Dave Richardson said, “To date the World Cricket League has played an important role in improving standards in Associate Member cricket, but feedback from our consultation with Members clearly articulated the need for more frequent playing opportunities and greater certainty over when they would be playing.”
“The new structure significantly increases the number of matches and competitive playing opportunities for our Members as well as shortening the whole qualification process to two and a half years, when previously it was six. There is a clear pathway now for teams looking to qualify for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.”
