ICC creates "Super Series", "Super Seven" for next year's ODI World Cup
The new format, announced by the ICC after their annual general meeting in Edinburgh over the weekend, was intended to enhance "consequences in the earlier rounds" according to the governing body.
XtraTime Newsdesk: ICC has announced a new format for the 2027 ODI World Cup that will be hosted by Sourth Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. This time around, 14 teams will participate in the tournament but there is a catch. Instead of there being two groups of seven, the three lowest ranked teams will play a "Super Series" against each other. That will leave 12 teams, divided into two groups of six, into the next round.
The new format, announced by the ICC after their annual general meeting in Edinburgh over the weekend, was intended to enhance "consequences in the earlier rounds" according to the governing body.
The tourney introduces a 'Super Seven' stage following the group stages, which features the top three finishers from each group as well as the next best-placed team from both groups. This, too, will have a round robin format. From here, the best four teams will qualify for the semis and then the finals.
This is a never been seen before format as the 2019 and 2023 editions had a straight round robin style tournament between all 10 teams from where the semi final line up(and eventually final line-up) was selected. Before that, there were formats which were more simpler to deduce. Simpler groups, simpler super 8s/6s, quarter finals etc. But today, ICC has decided to experiment to get the best of cricket in the world.
Will it be successful? Will fans accept it? Is the ICC leaning too much on the South Asian market(especially Indian) market? These questions will be in mind whenever someone sees the format.