Steve Waugh Blasts ICC For Making Changes To ODI World Cup 2027 Format: ‘It’s A Backward Step’

ODI World Cup 2027 was originally supposed to feature 14 teams. However, only 12 teams will now feature in the main tournament.

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Steve Waugh blasts ICC for making changes to ODI World Cup 2027 format. (Picture Credit: X/@ICC)

Former Australia ODI World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh has slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its recent decision to change the format of the 2027 ODI World Cup. The 50-over mega event was originally supposed to feature 14 teams and be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia next year. However, only 12 teams will now feature in the main tournament.

The teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th will face off in a qualifying round, from which only one team will progress to join the other 12 sides. These 12 teams will then be divided into two groups of six for the main round.

Waugh, who led Australia to the 1999 ODI World Cup title, criticised the ICC’s decision in a recent interview with The Telegraph, stating that those running the sport are becoming less open to expanding the game.

“It was a backward step, the ODI World Cup went from 14 teams to 12. I don’t understand that rationale. When you look at FIFA (World Cup), who went from 32 to 48 teams in the last World Cup in soccer (football), and we’ve gone the other way in cricket,” Waugh said.

“If we want it to be a global game, we’ve got to be inclusive and encourage other teams. And the only way you get better is through more competition and by playing those tougher teams,” he added.

The ICC’s decision to change the format had earlier drawn heavy criticism from Scotland and the Netherlands.

The two European cricket boards released a joint statement in August, stating that the changes represent a setback for Associate Member cricket and risk undermining the progress made in recent years to grow the game.

“Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association are deeply disappointed by the International Cricket Council’s recent decision to implement significant structural changes to the ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup qualification pathway and tournament format with less than 18 months until the competition begins,” the statement said.

“These changes represent a setback to Associate Member cricket and risk undermining the progress made in recent years to grow the global game.

“At a time when cricket is seeking to expand its reach, attract new audiences and strengthen its position on the international sporting landscape, reducing meaningful opportunities for emerging nations sends entirely the wrong message,” it added.

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The format changes for the 2027 ODI World Cup are seen as a setback for Associate Member cricket and risk undermining progress in growing the global game. Reducing meaningful opportunities for emerging nations sends the wrong message at a time when cricket aims to expand its reach.

FIFA expanded its World Cup from 32 to 48 teams.

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Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli…Read More

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