retired_linton_justin

Nah i see your point but 32 teams is too much, if not for the horrendous mismatches then just for the timescale of it all - winter tours start in Oct/Nov so the players are going to need some rest first!

Maybe 24 teams in 8 groups of 3 (ie each group with one of the "Big 8" and two others) with the top team going to a knock out or Super 8 stage.

Although you're going to win whatever the format anyway

Test 187

Mishra and Varaiya'll both take the tournament by storm.

As will Devon Smith.

retired_musiclova31

actually, that's precisely why the format needs changing. two group stages is utterly ridiculous.

and 32 teams with two going through to a straight knockout would actually see the eventual winners playing less matches than the current convoluted set-up btw.

retired_musiclova31

retired_linton_justin

Yeah agree with the group stages being more predictable, with knockouts you at least only get the one chance. The only thing with the 32 team format and a 16->8->4->2 knockout stage is although the winners would play 7 games the first four would be against the lesser nations with the likelihood of an upset being far outweighed by the likelihood of player injury / fatigue come the later stages.

retired_musiclova31

which also adds unpredictability to those latter stages. face it, if every player at this tournament is fully fit (physically and mentally) for the entire time, then there is only one team in with a chance of winning. it's a sad indictment on the state of international cricket atm, but it's a fact.

the ICC need to learn that we need to move away from league structures at these tourney's. the last two super 8's have been an absolute procession.

Vegas171

no popeye for Pakistan

he was made for 20/20

retired_tarareyes

Mon England

retired_shalurana

Didnt realise this was so close. This has the potential to be superb.]

C'mon England :thup:

retired_linton_justin

Freddie blatantly to miss the tournament too. Odds on us calling Rikki Clarke in as his replacement anyone?