Jemisi wrote:I think that the Australian and NZ boards have a lot to answer for. It has been significant that they have been pushing for the 10 team model. It is ridiculous to exclude any full member, and also silly to give none of the Associates the chance to aspire to playing in the WC.
If India stuff up and get knocked out, too bad. The Rights have been paid for, they will still be bid upon by TV companies next time around. For example, India knocked out in 2007, but winners in 2011. Did the knockout that upset the TV companies prevent anyone from going for the rights again in this WC? Did the ICC still make plenty of cash? Did the Indian population pay attention to the WC even though in 2007 they were given an early exit? Cricket needs to man up and let the nations play. If youlose and get knocked out, yo go away and try again next tme. If you win, you go on to glory.
I actually liked the format of the 2007 World Cup. It allowed for 16 nations to compete but only for the minnows to play 3 games each. It then meant we got down to the business end of the tournament (Super 8s) very quickly. The reason the 2007 World Cup wasn't a success was just that India and Pakistan got knocked out early and that Australia was so far ahead of anyone else that everyone knew who was going to win. The format wasn't to blame.