The International Cricket Council today officially launched the Road to India 2023, with the pathway to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 beginning next week, one month after England were crowned 2019 champions, as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 kicks off in Scotland.
League 2 sees 126 One Day Internationals (ODIs) played across 21 tri-series and sits in the new four-year qualification structure for the Men’s Cricket World Cup qualification which is now a four-year cycle, one month after England overcame New Zealand in the dramatic 2019 Final at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 which is two steps from India 2023 and sits beneath the Men’s CWC Super League. League 2 provides more competitive cricket for the seven teams, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, PNG, Scotland, UAE and USA, with each team playing 36 ODIs over two and half years from August 2019 to January 2022.
From August 14 – 21, Scotland, PNG and Oman will play the inaugural series in Mannofield Park which includes four ODIs for each team, worth 2 points per ODI which will contribute to the Men’s CWC League 2 table.
After the 21 tri-series have been completed the three top teams with will confirm their place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2022.
The bottom four teams will drop into the Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-Off 2022 – which is a repechage event to the Global Qualifier- and will be joined by the winner of Challenge League A and B. The top two teams from the Play-Off will keep their hopes alive of participating in India 2023, by qualifying for the Cricket World up Qualifier 2022.
Oman Coach, Duleep Mendis said, “As a cricketer who participated in four Cricket World Cups and captaining in the last one, it is heartening to see Associate Members having a FTP till 2022. This is a fantastic opportunity for teams to participate in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and I would like to congratulate the ICC for this initiative.”
Emirates Cricket Board Member and spokesperson, Zayed Abbas said, “We thank the ICC for the number of matches lined up for UAE Cricket during Men’s CricketWorld League 2. Our ultimate goal is to be part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023. We hope we can make this a reality.”
USA Cricket Project Manager, Eric Parthen said, “After successfully climbing the World Cricket League ladder over the last few years, USA Cricket is very much looking forward to the new challenge of World Cup Cricket League 2.”
“League 2 is full of teams that have played at the highest level of Associate cricket and the U.S. Men’s National Team and our staff are excited for the opportunity to play 36 ODIs over the next 2 years against the top Associates in global cricket.” PNG Chief Executive, Greg Campbell said, “Cricket PNG is really excited about the new format and new competition structure. It has been a tough 12 months since Zimbabwe and after the close competition in Namibia we are looking forward to the 36 ODI’s over the next 2.5 years starting with the tours in Scotland and USA.”
Namibia National Head Coach, Pierre de Bruyn said, “Cricket Namibia is very excited to start the CWC League 2 in September against PNG and hosts USA. The Eagles secured ODI Status by winning the Division 2 Qualifier in Windhoek in April 2019. It is going to be a very competitive ODI League over the next couple of years leading up to the CWC 2023. The Eagles have been working very hard at training and wishing them all the best.”
ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley is excited by the prospect of four years of competitive men’s 50 over cricket. “The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup provided us with great entertainment and competitive cricket, I am delighted to see the start of the qualification process to India 2023. The new structure has given meaningful context to bilateral cricket for the Men’s Cricket World Super League, but also more competitive opportunities to Associate Members.
“Men’s CWC League 2 gives the seven competing teams, 36 One Day Internationals across two and half years and providing a real cricket calendar for Associate Members. The Challenge Leagues A and B will provide the opportunity for Associate teams ranked 21-36 to continue to play competitive cricket and give teams the opportunity to climb the ladder. It will be an exciting four years of cricket in the lead up to the next ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup,” Tetley added.
The teams for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League A and B have now been confirmed. In Challenge League A the six sides will be Canada, Denmark, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore and Vanuatu. In Challenge League B the six sides will be Bermuda, Hong Kong, Italy, Jersey, Kenya and Uganda.
Each league will play in a six-team tournament format each year, meaning each team will play five matches annually. These will both be classified as List-A leagues and matches played will have List-A status. The first Challenge League A event will be played in September 2019.
