The International Cricket Council on Monday, 27 July 2020, officially launched the inaugural ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. The Super League will determine qualification for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India. At End of The Super league, the top seven teams will automatically qualify for the event in India, along with host nation.
It’s more like FIFA and UEFA qualification style, where teams will earn their qualification for Football major tournaments irrespective of their rankings.
The Super League set to begin with a series between world champions England and Ireland on 30 July 2020 in Southampton.
The inaugural League will Feature 13 teams, the 12 ICC Full Members and the Netherlands, who qualified by winning the ICC World Cricket Super League 2015-17.
Format of Super league
Each team plays a series of three ODI matches against eight of the 12 other teams, thus figuring in 24 matches each in the championship. Teams play four series at home (12 Matches) and four away (12 Matches), ensuring a variety of oppositions, venues and equal home advantage.
Criteria for 2023 World Cup Qualification?
Hosts India and the next seven highest placed teams will qualify automatically for the 2023 World Cup.For example, If India comes out on top of the Super league then teams from 2 to 8 will qualify or If India finishes super league in 9th place then team from 1 to 7 in the standings will qualify along with India.
Each team gets 10 points for a win, five for a tie/no result/abandonment and none for a loss.Teams will be ranked according to total points earned across the eight series. There are criteria in place to separate two or more teams on equal points.
What If a team doesn’t finish in the top seven
The five sides failing to qualify directly will play along with five Associate sides in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023, with two teams from the Qualifier making it to the 10-team World Cup in India.
Geoff Allardice, ICC General Manager – Cricket Operations
“We are delighted to get the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League underway with World Cup winners England against Ireland.
“The league will bring relevance and context to ODI cricket over the next three years, as qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is at stake. The Super League gives cricket fans around the world even more reasons to watch as the drama of league cricket unfolds.”
“The decision last week to move the World Cup back to late 2023 gives us more time to schedule any games lost due to COVID-19 and preserve the integrity of the qualification process, meaning it will be decided on the field of play, which is important.”
Comments from England ODI Captain,Eoin Morgan:
“We’re looking forward to playing cricket again and to the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League. Given the situation, it will be quite different to the last time we played at home, when we lifted the World Cup at Lord’s, but it’s nice to be starting our journey for the next edition of the tournament.
“I’m sure cricket fans all over the world will be excited to see white-ball cricket resume and we’re looking forward to the challenge.
“Ireland are a talented team who have shown over the years that they can beat the best on their day. We look forward to what promises to be an interesting series.”
Comments from Ireland Captain ,Andrew Balbirnie :
“It’s a privilege to be playing in the inaugural series of the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League. It is obviously going to be a huge challenge taking on the team that won the World Cup just a year ago but we have prepared well and have taken confidence from our form over the early months of 2020.”
“What is important is that we are getting back on the field. I hope international cricket’s return is steady during these challenging times.
“I look forward to the Irish side putting on a good performance in the upcoming series as we start our campaign for World Cup qualification.”
