The Points Table/Standings

[Howe_zat]

My proposal for 2027, assuming we're stuck with 14 teams (I'd prefer more).

1. Two groups of seven.
2. Top three of each group progress.
3. Top your group? Straight to semis.
4. 2nd in Group A v 3rd in Group B; 2nd in Group B vs 3rd in Group A as preliminary final knockouts.
5. Semis: Initial group winners vs Preliminary Final winners.
6. Final.

I wouldn't mind only having two from each group progress and going straight to semis, but it can create too many dead rubbers towards the end in such big groups. Three is a good balance from groups of seven to qualify, and skipping an extra knockout and being able to rest your bowlers etc is still a big enough incentive for teams to want to finish top.

I would have picked this format too but they really hate the 'bye to the semis' in pro format circles because it means fewer TV matches for the best sides. It creates weird incentives for the suits who do slightly better if their team makes the final after having come 3rd in the group

So most likely we'll get a return to the 2011 format which was just top 4 of 7 go through and then quarter finals. Which was not very fair as you could have teams lose 3-4 pool matches of 6 and then win the cup, but at least the games had a bit more riding on them than these ones do.

 

[honestbharani]

I would have picked this format too but they really hate the 'bye to the semis' in pro format circles because it means fewer TV matches for the best sides. It creates weird incentives for the suits who do slightly better if their team makes the final after having come 3rd in the group

So most likely we'll get a return to the 2011 format which was just top 4 of 7 go through and then quarter finals. Which was not very fair as you could have teams lose 3-4 pool matches of 6 and then win the cup, but at least the games had a bit more riding on them than these ones do.

Yeah but you can also argue that a team that wins 3 consecutive KO games is a worthy winner given that is how most other world trophies go.

 

[loterry1994]

I would have picked this format too but they really hate the 'bye to the semis' in pro format circles because it means fewer TV matches for the best sides. It creates weird incentives for the suits who do slightly better if their team makes the final after having come 3rd in the group

So most likely we'll get a return to the 2011 format which was just top 4 of 7 go through and then quarter finals. Which was not very fair as you could have teams lose 3-4 pool matches of 6 and then win the cup, but at least the games had a bit more riding on them than these ones do.

I’m not a big fan of a quarter final format these days. Think there is a big difference from the top 4-5 teams compared to the rest to have quarter finals. That 2015 World Cup had quarter finals and the likes of Bangladesh, West Indies and Sri Lanka who made it really had no chance of winning the title.

Think this current format gave us some the best knockout games we’ve ever seen the 2019 world cup

 

[loterry1994]

Yeah but you can also argue that a team that wins 3 consecutive KO games is a worthy winner given that is how most other world trophies go.

I don’t think it’s worthy just say finishing 4th for example in the group stages and losing to most the top sides and then beating a few minnow sides then making a quarter final. Making a quarter final in say a football or rugby World Cup is usually a lot harder. Making a top 8 in cricket is no where near as hard for the main nations

 

[SteveNZ]

I’m not a big fan of a quarter final format these days. Think there is a big difference from the top 4-5 teams compared to the rest to have quarter finals. That 2015 World Cup had quarter finals and the likes of Bangladesh, West Indies and Sri Lanka who made it really had no chance of winning the title.

Think this current format gave us some the best knockout games we’ve ever seen the 2019 world cup

Quarter-finals are strictly for TV/media rights in most cases. I agree, they're of no great value.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

After match #8,

 

[loterry1994]

Quarter-finals are strictly for TV/media rights in most cases. I agree, they're of no great value.

I mean I understand the quarter finals in other sports for world cups. But cricket the top 4-5 nations are far ahead of the rest especially when you add more minnow nations in a bigger cricket tournament. You could have the likes of say Sri Lanka, West Indies, Afghanistan, Bangladesh in a quarter final but what sort of chance are they. Plus this new format makes sure no team avoids anyone and doesn’t get easy groups or whatever like you could in another format

 

[loterry1994]

I honestly think it’ll be Sri Lanka or Afghanistan last from what I’ve seen so far. Think both these teams have a poor batting line up especially if early wickets tumble they don’t have much resistance lower down the order. Their bowling is also a worry they don’t have good pacers for the death overs and power play.

 

[SteveNZ]

I mean I understand the quarter finals in other sports for world cups. But cricket the top 4-5 nations are far ahead of the rest especially when you add more minnow nations in a bigger cricket tournament. You could have the likes of say Sri Lanka, West Indies, Afghanistan, Bangladesh in a quarter final but what sort of chance are they. Plus this new format makes sure no team avoids anyone and doesn’t get easy groups or whatever like you could in another format

In football, definitely there's enough quality for quarter-finals. Rugby, just...this World Cup is the first one where all four might be close. So yeah, you're right.

I like the format of this tournament. Good amount of teams, plenty of big games along the way, builds nicely into the semis.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

After match #9,


View attachment 37591

After our first game, we were 10th.
After our second game, we are 5th.
After our third game, we shall be 0th.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

After our first game, we were 10th.
After our second game, we are 5th.
After our third game, we shall be 0th.

They are doing it the right way.

Topley

 

[Neil Young]

Not one remotely close game so far.

 

[centurymaker]

Thats the most disappointing thing.

 

[Prince EWS]

Thats the most disappointing thing.

No that's your posts.

And your face.

 

[CricAddict]

It is good to see that they've scheduled in a such a way that there are clear round of matches. End of match 5, all teams had played a match each and end of match 10, all would have played 2 instead of some teams playing 3 and some teams 1.

 

[Molehill]

Not one remotely close game so far.

I think you could argue Pakistan chasing down 345 in the 49th over is quite a decent game. India being 2-3 against Australia was good viewing too.

It does kind of feel though that there maybe 5 teams better than the others. I'm not convinced Pakistan are that close to those 5, but they're a tough team to weigh up (and always are).

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Standings after 9 matches,

 

[nightprowler10]

I guess I'll be cheering for Aus against SA. Bleh.

 

[Flem274*]

I like PEWS idea (looks adapted from the NRL). Though I do like this format more except for lack of minnows.

Maybe have a pile of groups at the start for a rapid fire group stage then into the Super 10s/8s

Group stage is 2 games, 3 teams, top 2 go through. Done in half a week.

India
WI
Nepal

Pakistan
Afghanistan
Netherlands

Australia
Sri Lanka
Ireland

South Africa
Bangladesh
Scotland

New Zealand
England
Zimbabwe

 

[ataraxia]

I like PEWS idea (looks adapted from the NRL). Though I do like this format more except for lack of minnows.

Maybe have a pile of groups at the start for a rapid fire group stage then into the Super 10s/8s

Group stage is 2 games, 3 teams, top 2 go through. Done in half a week.

India
WI
Nepal

Pakistan
Afghanistan
Netherlands

Australia
Sri Lanka
Ireland

South Africa
Bangladesh
Scotland

New Zealand
England
Zimbabwe

Yeah but then it has the problems of teams easily being eliminated surprisingly early, and also having the associates mostly playing in more of a tack-on competition; they're not really actually properly playing in a WC.