2015 World Cup Qualification to be held in New Zealand 2014 Author: Maaz; Views: 1619; Date: 28-11-2012, 07:41;

The 2015 World Cup (Australia/New Zealand) qualification will be finalised in New Zealand 2014. It will be a 14 team competition. Originally this competition was going to exclude the associates, but after some talk and disappointing reaction, ICC reversed their decision last year to keep the pinnacle of one day competitions at 14 teams just like the sub continental event in 2011. The 2003 tournament also involved 14 teams. The most sides in a single World Cup was in 2007 during the Caribbean festival where 16 teams participated, but that World Cup was heavily criticised as an appalling one which failed to capture the imagination of the public and it was a bit of a drag as award winning journalist, Cambridge graduate and former England captain Michael Atherton would tell you.

Teams Per Competition

1975 = 8

1979 = 8

1983 = 8

1987 = 8

1992 = 9

1996 = 12

1999 = 12

2003 = 14

2007 = 16

2011 = 14

2015 = 14 planned

2019 = 10 planned

The structure of the tournament is yet to be finalised. The ICC could keep it like the 2011 version where they had quarter finalists to follow up 2 groups of 7 teams (which will happen in a 14 team event). The format was criticised as a 3 team knock out tournament, but overall the tournament was a success. Alternatively, they could go back to the 2003 version where there were super sixes and points carried over so matches didn't have to be re-played that were already played in the initial stages, making those games seem of greater importance. Mathematically, they could also have two groups of 3 in the super sixes with points not 'carried over' and the top ranked team with a better NRR in the 7 team group getting an easier group of the 3rd ranked side in both groups, to give that bit extra to play for in the initial pool rather than just completing the formalities of qualification.

Winners of 2011 qualification: Ireland

Associates at 2007 World Cup: Canada, Kenya, Ireland, Scotland, Bermuda, Holland

Associates at 2011 World Cup: Canada, Kenya, Ireland, Holland

2015 personal prediction: Ireland, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada (maybe Scotland)

Random Fact: Canada have played in 4 World Cups. South Africa have only played in 6 since their re-admission with the first one in 1992 with 3 semi-final appearances and two quarter final appearances, the other time they hosted the event.