Greed threatens to make long-winded World Cup a tedious tournament

[Chehtha]

Had the ICC dropped the idea of the champions trophy we could have had shorter world cups. I believe the organizers had no other choice but to go for this format as any more trimming in the form of knockout matches in the grp stages would have made it identical to the champions trophy.

[Contra]

I honestly liked the 2003 world cup format the most.

2 Groups with 7 teams each and 3 from each group advance (which means at least 2 of the top 8 teams [assuming no minnow upsets] get eliminated). Then come the super sixes where the top 4 of the 6 teams make it to the semis. Things like NRR come extremely important in this situation which adds to the tournament. And finally a semi final and a final. This quarter final business is pretty meh if you ask me. Almost like a lottery to an extent.

[Cevno]

Awta.

[centurymaker]

IMO this is what the format should've been this time around-

2 groups of 7 teams each
1st placed team in each group qualifies for the semi-final straight away.
2 play-offs to decide the other 2 semi-finalists - Team who finishes 2nd in each group faces the 3rd placed team from the other group.

This format ensures that there is everything to play for throughout the group stage.
The weaker nations will strive hard to finish 3rd in order to earn themselves a play-off match and the top nations will strive to finish 1st so that they can qualify straight to the semis.

Thoughts?

[smalishah84]

I honestly liked the 2003 world cup format the most.

2 Groups with 7 teams each and 3 from each group advance (which means at least 2 of the top 8 teams [assuming no minnow upsets] get eliminated). Then come the super sixes where the top 4 of the 6 teams make it to the semis. Things like NRR come extremely important in this situation which adds to the tournament. And finally a semi final and a final. This quarter final business is pretty meh if you ask me. Almost like a lottery to an extent.

this was originally the format of 99 wc which was carried over in 2003 as well.....i agree....it was the best

[Lostman]

IMO this is what the format should've been this time around-

2 groups of 7 teams each
1st placed team in each group qualifies for the semi-final straight away.
2 play-offs to decide the other 2 semi-finalists - Team who finishes 2nd in each group faces the 3rd placed team from the other group.

This format ensures that there is everything to play for throughout the group stage.
The weaker nations will strive hard to finish 3rd in order to earn themselves a play-off match and the top nations will strive to finish 1st so that they can qualify straight to the semis.

Thoughts?

This only 3 qualify from the groups and the best team gets a semi final berth.
Kinda like the NFL system.

[NUFAN]

Yeah I'm really happy with Centurymaker's suggestion, it would certainly ensure more matches are important and I like rewarding first place with an automatic semi final berth.

[G.I.Joe]

I like centurymaker's suggestion too, except that I'm not sure how it'd affect the top team not playing as many matches as their eventual semi final opponent.

[morgieb]

What I'd do......

Have 5 groups of 3 teams. Each team plays each other once.
Top team of every group goes into a super 5 sort of thing. Again, each team plays each other once.
1st immediately qualifies for the final, 2 and 3 play off for the other spot.

Won't happen because there aren't 15 teams however.

[G.I.Joe]

What I'd do......

Have 5 groups of 3 teams. Each team plays each other once.
Top team of every group goes into a super 5 sort of thing. Again, each team plays each other once.
1st immediately qualifies for the final, 2 and 3 play off for the other spot.

Won't happen because there aren't 15 teams however.

This format sucks even more than the 2007 one.

Theoretically you could lose just one match and be out of the World Cup.

[turnstyle]

This format sucks even more than the 2007 one.

Theoretically you could lose just one match and be out of the World Cup.

Then don't lose a match then? Simple.

[GIMH]

This format sucks even more than the 2007 one.

Theoretically you could lose just one match and be out of the World Cup.

Then don't lose a match then? Simple.

I agree.

[Marcuss]

This format sucks even more than the 2007 one.

Theoretically you could lose just one match and be out of the World Cup.

Like any world cup?

[G.I.Joe]

I don't even know if I'd bother responding to that sort of opinion.

[gvenkat]

This format is appalling to say the least one. Group A is so predictable. The only interest in group B is whether Bangla can upset one of England, SA or WI. Even that would not be enough for the other three sides can still make it.

42 games to eliminate 4 minnows ..

The best format is 12 teams. 2 groups of 6 each = 30 games

Super Eights with Points Carried over = 16 Games

Semis and Finals . 3 Games =

Total = 49 games

I say super eights because theoretically that would allow the big 8 to play each other once at least unless there is an upset. Even if a team sucks in the league stage they have a chance to redeem themselves in Super 8.

The idea of having 4 minnows is absolutely meaningless.. The finalists of the ICC trophy should go that's it. And they should abolish the champions trophy. The next WC is going to just 10 teams. Would be interesting to see how they pick the teams.