Co-hosts of the International Cricket Council World Cup 2015, New Zealand, have urged the ICC to continue with the decision of trimming the next World Cup to ten full-members, saying that this format becomes easy to organise for the hosts.
New Zealand Cricket Boss, Justin Vaughan said, “A 12-team competition would necessitate the introduction of a Super Sixes stage in between two pools of six and an elimination round.”
Vaughan said that the Super Six Stage creates problems due to the uncertainty of the teams playing, along with the venues. He added that it becomes exceedingly difficult to organise international visitors, as there is no assurance to which team will play where.
The ICC’s second thoughts of reconsidering the decision have raised many speculations. First, it is expected that the tournament will be expanded to a 14-team tournament like 2011, or it may be a 12-team competition.
On the other hand, there is also a possibility that the ICC may introduce a qualifying tournament between the two best performing associate nations, as well as two low performing full-members.
Vaughan also revealed that they are in the process of appointing a Chief Executive Officer for the 2015 edition of the World Cup, a move which cannot take place until they get the final list of the participant teams.
The ICC, two days after the World Cup 2011, had announced to restrict the next mega event to ten heavy weight teams only. Following this decision, the world’s cricket governing body had to face a serious reaction from the Associate nations.
Ireland, along with the 94 other associate and affiliate members decided to legally challenge the ICC’s decision. As a result of the reaction, the President of ICC Executive Board, Sharad Pawar, requested the governing body to reconsider their decision at their annual conference, to be held in the end of June.
The minnows, especially Ireland have now pinned high hopes from the annual conference. Ireland has been one of the most active team among the minnows, after the side enjoyed sizzling wins in their group stage matches in the World Cup.
The Irish put up a spirited performance in the tournament, after the team beat England in a huge upset. Chasing a big-target of 328 runs, Kevin O’ Brien hit the fastest century in the World Cup history, to lift his side to a massive win.
Vaughan added, "Look, I am sympathetic to Ireland, in particular, and the way they have performed at world events."
The New Zealand boss said that the ICC, while reviewing the decision should come up with a quick decision about the playing nations for the 2015 edition of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Australia.
In addition, co-host Australia have also supported the ICC’s first idea of excluding the minnows, from the next edition of the tournament.
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