The collage features Scotland (left) and Netherlands cricket team players. – Scotland Cricket/ICC
LONDON: Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) have expressed strong displeasure over the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to alter the format of the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup with less than 18 months remaining before the tournament.
Last month, the ICC introduced a Super Series stage to the competition, involving the 12th, 13th and 14th qualifying teams in a tri-series. Only the winner of the three-team series will progress to the second round of the World Cup, where 12 teams will be divided into two groups.
Following the announcement, Cricket Scotland, the KNCB and other Associate Members held two meetings with the ICC, seeking official written communication about the changes and greater clarity on the processes involved.
However, in a joint statement issued on Monday, the two boards said they had received no response from the ICC since their second meeting, which took place more than two weeks ago. They described the lack of communication as “disappointing and disrespectful”.
“These changes represent a setback to Associate Member cricket and risk undermining the progress made in recent years to grow the global game,” the boards said.
“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.
“Cricket Scotland and the KNCB remain fully committed to working constructively with the ICC and fellow Members to strengthen the global game. However, we have significant concerns about both the impact of these changes and the process through which they have been introduced.”
The boards said they had also requested positive action to improve future operational decision-making and sought invitations to bilateral planning meetings with Full Members.
“Following the announcement of the changes, Cricket Scotland, KNCB and other Associate Members met twice with the ICC, seeking official written communication on the changes and greater clarity around the processes involved,” the statement added.
“We also requested positive action to strengthen future operational decision-making and an invitation to bilateral planning meetings with Full Members.
“Since the second meeting more than two weeks ago, there has been no further response from the ICC, which is disappointing and disrespectful given the significance of the issues raised.”
The captains of Namibia, the Netherlands and Scotland had also voiced their concerns about the format change last month in a statement issued by the World Cricketers’ Association, the global players’ union.
Following the players’ statement, Namibia Cricket chair Rudi van Vuuren suggested that the altered World Cup schedule should be viewed in context and that T20 cricket should be prioritised as a vehicle for growth.
Cricket Scotland and the KNCB also argued that Associate Members had not been given sufficient notice before the format was changed.
“The changes risk weakening the integrity and credibility of international cricket, and only highlight the importance of strong governance, transparent decision-making and effective engagement with Members,” the statement said.
“Decisions of this significance, particularly those directly affecting Associate Members, should be made clearly following meaningful consultation and with sufficient notice for affected Members to understand and respond to the implications.
“The timing of these changes, with less than 18 months until the tournament, has given affected Members limited opportunity to contribute to the process or adapt.
“We believe greater engagement with Associate Members would have supported a more effective and collaborative approach and helped maintain confidence in the qualification pathway.”
The format change came as the World Cup League 2 cycle was nearing its conclusion. USA, Scotland, the Netherlands and Oman secured places in the ODI World Cup Qualifier, while Namibia, Canada, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates progressed to the eight-team World Cup Qualifier Play-off.
The top four teams from the play-off will advance to the global qualifier, scheduled to take place in February 2027.
The two boards said changes made midway through the qualification cycle could create significant uncertainty for Associate Members, who operate with comparatively limited resources.
“Members and their players invest years in preparing for World Cups, and confidence in those pathways depends on them not changing part-way through a qualification cycle without consultation,” the statement said.
“Changing those structures at short notice creates significant uncertainty, disrupts planning, and places additional operational and financial pressure on organisations that are already operating with limited resources.
“The opportunity to compete at a World Cup provides Associate Members with a unique competitive opportunity to drive investment, inspire players, attract commercial partners and government support, and create moments that capture the imagination of supporters.”
The boards also stressed the importance of Associate Members competing against Full Members on the global stage.
“Some of the most memorable moments in ICC tournaments have come when Associate Members have challenged, and in some cases defeated, Full Members on the world stage,” they said.
“Those performances have always reinforced the principle that success is earned on the field. Our players work incredibly hard with limited resources to earn these opportunities and deserve respect and for their efforts to be rewarded.
“Leaders in cricket have consistently spoken about their ambition for the sport to become truly global.
“We call upon the ICC to re-engage with Associate Members and their requests and commit to engaging openly with all Members on how the long-term interests of the global game can best be served.”