3 weeks ago
Netherlands, Scotland slam ICC over ODI World Cup format changes
There is a sport called cricket, and the best countries in the world play a big tournament called the World Cup.
The International Cricket Council, or ICC, is the group that runs cricket around the world.
The ICC decided to change the way the next World Cup will work, and it made this change only 15 months before the tournament begins.
Some smaller cricket countries, called associate nations, were not happy about this.
Two of those countries are Scotland and the Netherlands.
They said the new format gives them less chance to play and compete.
The leaders of these countries asked the ICC to explain the changes and to write them down clearly.
They met with the ICC twice, but after more than two weeks they still had not heard back.
So Scotland and the Netherlands made an official statement saying the way they were treated was disappointing and disrespectful.
They also said the changes could hurt the growth of cricket around the world.
Cricket Scotland and the Netherlands' KNCB jointly called the ICC's handling of revised ODI World Cup format changes 'disappointing and disrespectful'.
The ICC revamped the World Cup structure 15 months before the showpiece event in Africa, introducing a Super Series Stage.
Under the new format, the 12th, 13th and 14th-ranked qualifying teams will compete in a tri-series for just one place in the second round.
The two associate boards met twice with the ICC seeking official written communication and clarity but received no response for over two weeks.
Cricket Scotland and KNCB warned the changes represent a setback to Associate Member cricket and reduce meaningful opportunities for emerging nations.
- Who
- Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB), in dispute with the International Cricket Council (ICC)
- What
- The two associate boards criticized the ICC for changing the ODI World Cup format without adequate communication, consultation, or written clarity
- Where
- The ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held in Africa; the dispute concerns ICC decision-making
- When
- More than two weeks after a second meeting with the ICC; the format change was announced 15 months before the World Cup
- Why
- They believe the new structure limits meaningful match time for associate nations and undermines cricket's global expansion
International Cricket Council
Associate Member Boards (Scotland and Netherlands)
ODI World Cup restructuring
International Cricket Council
The ICC introduced a new Super Series Stage for the 12th, 13th and 14th-ranked qualifying teams, restructuring the World Cup 15 months before the event.
Associate Member Boards (Scotland and Netherlands)
Cricket Scotland and KNCB call the change and its handling 'disappointing and disrespectful', saying it reduces meaningful opportunities for emerging nations and risks undermining progress in growing the global game.
Key facts
- Governing body
- International Cricket Council (ICC)
- Complainants
- Cricket Scotland and Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB)
- Event
- ODI World Cup
- Host region
- Africa
- Format change timing
- 15 months before the World Cup
- New structure
- Super Series Stage for 12th, 13th and 14th-ranked qualifying teams
- Super Series prize
- One place in the second round
- Second round format
- 12 teams divided into two groups
Quotes
Cricket Scotland and KNCB
Representatives of the Netherlands Cricket Board and Cricket Scotland
“These changes represent a setback to Associate Member cricket and risk undermining the progress made in recent years to grow the global game.”
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