ICC World Cricket League Division Two (2) proved to be a challenging and defining moment for PNG cricket. With just one (1) win from the first four (4) games hopes of qualification for the new ICC World Cup League Two (2) and regaining ODI status seemed all but gone, however that would not be the PNG way. Rallying from 5/30 against tournament leaders Oman PNG fought back and somehow through a minor miracle of sorts achieved qualification and with it regained One-Day International (ODI) status. A win against the USA the following day saw PNG climb off the canvas and finish 3rd in a tournament that many wrote them off in.
Great. But what does this mean for PNG cricket now? Im sure there are more then one or two of you wondering what this all means and what even is the new ICC World Cup League Two (2), well here's my best explanation in simple terms of what's in store over the next three (3) years for the PNG Barramundies.
ICC WORLD CUP SUPER LEAGUE:
Lets start at the top the newly formed ICC World Cup Super League will begin from May 2020 and run through till March 2022. This tournament will feature the worlds top cricketing teams with 13 nations (Australia, England, New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, West Indies, Ireland, South Africa, Zimbabwe (in doubt) and the Netherlands) playing a series of home and away matches against 8 rival nations, meaning each country will not play four (4) other teams in the tournament, each series will feature 3 matches. The Netherlands qualified as the only non ICC Full Test playing member due to winning the now scraped ICC World Cricket League Championship back in 2017. This tournament will form the first base of qualification for the world cup. Following completion the top eight (8) nations will progress through directly to the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, the bottom five (5) nations will be entered into a secondary form off qualification through the ICC World Cup qualifier to be held in 2022.
ICC WORLD CUP LEAGUE TWO :
This is were PNG comes into the picture. With a 3rd place victory in Namibia, PNG along with USA, Namibia and Oman earns qualification for the new ICC World Cup League Two (2) and regained ODI status as the ICC has now extended this amount to 20 nations. (PNG are currently ranked 19th).
As you can see from the simplifying flow chart above the ICC World Cup League Two (2) will feature the top 7 associate nations (Scotland, Nepal, UAE, USA, Namibia, Oman and PNG). This tournament will follow a similar run time and format to that of the ICC World Cup Super League. Where each nation will play 36 ODIs across a three (3) year period featuring both home and away matches. The only difference will be that these matches will be played as Tri-Series. For example PNG will begin by playing Scotland and Oman in Scotland followed by a series against the USA and Namibia in the USA. In return PNG will host Nepal and the UAE next year in the next phase of the tournament. At the conclusion of this tournament the top three (3) nations will join the bottom 5 from the "Super League" at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. For the bottom four (4) teams its not dreams dashed just yet as they will moved into another secondary tournament of qualification, as they will join the Top Two (2) teams from the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge tournament in the ICC Cricket World Cup Play - Off tournament.
ICC WORLD CUP CHALLENGE :
Due to finishing in the bottom two (2) at the ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament in Namibia both Hong Kong and Canada were relegated to the newly formed ICC World Cup Challenge Tournament. This tournament is the bottom tier of qualification for the world cup and will feature twelve (12) nations. Unlike the other World Cup qualifying tournaments this format will feature the twelve (12) nations split into two (2) groups of six (6). Group A - Canada, Denmark, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore and Vanuatu. Group B - Hong Kong, Bermuda, Italy, Jersey, Kenya, Uganda.
The number of matches which will be classed as List A and not offical ODI's is unknown however the tournament will finish in 2021. The top Two (2) nations will progress to the ICC World Cup Play -Off the remaining ten (10) nations will be out of the qualification race.
ICC WORLD CUP PLAY - OFF:
This particular tournament will take place following the conclusion of all the three levels of qualification (Super League, League Two and Challenge.) and will feature six (6) teams. As spoken about earlier the bottom four (4) nations from the ICC World Cup League Two and the top Two (2) nations from the ICC World Cup Challenge league will feature. The tournament is set to take place in 2022 and will most likely be a two week event. At the conclusion of this the top two (2) nations will progress to the ICC World Cup Qualifier were they will join the bottom five (5) from the Super League, the top three (3) from League Two to form a make or break ten (10) team tournament. For the four (4) nations that fail to finish in the top two (2) that will be the end of their ICC World Cup journey.
ICC WORLD CUP QUALIFIER:
The final chance of qualification for the ICC World Cup 2023 will feature ten (10) nations. The bottom five (5) from the ICC World Cup Super League, the top three (3) from the ICC World Cup League Two and the top two (2) from the ICC World Cup Play-Off. This tournament is set to take place in late 2022 and will most likely be a two week event. Unfortunately the ICC continues its mind boggling decision to restrict the World Cup to just Ten (10) nations meaning that only Two (2) nations will progress to the big stage.
ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2023:
A ten team event featuring the best ten (10) cricketing nations in the world. The top eight (8) from the ICC World Cup Super League and the top two (2) from the ICC World Cup Qualifier. Will battle it out for crickets finest and most cherish trophies.
FINAL WORD:
Minus the final decision of a ten (10) nation world cup the ICC must be applauded for applying this new qualifying structure were ever nation regardless off status or ranking must qualify for the World Cup. It also gives every nation meaningful cricket whether that be Australia, PNG or Vanuatu it means that every match across a three (3) year period counts towards something. It also gives associate nations must needed cricket and exposure to bigger nations. For PNG it confirms 36 ODI's and a new level of funding and exposure attached with it.
Also a little slice of history will be heading the Barramundies way when they face Oman on Tuesday, as this is the first match in this new historic format of qualification for what will be an incredible few years of cricket.
Theres something amazing knowing that whether Australia be facing India or PNG are facing Nepal or even Vanuatu facing Denmark that these matches all carry the same weight and pressure of qualification or relegation.
I hope this helps. Go the Barramundies and God Bless.
ICC WORLD CUP CHALLENGE :
Due to finishing in the bottom two (2) at the ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament in Namibia both Hong Kong and Canada were relegated to the newly formed ICC World Cup Challenge Tournament. This tournament is the bottom tier of qualification for the world cup and will feature twelve (12) nations. Unlike the other World Cup qualifying tournaments this format will feature the twelve (12) nations split into two (2) groups of six (6). Group A - Canada, Denmark, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore and Vanuatu. Group B - Hong Kong, Bermuda, Italy, Jersey, Kenya, Uganda.
The number of matches which will be classed as List A and not offical ODI's is unknown however the tournament will finish in 2021. The top Two (2) nations will progress to the ICC World Cup Play -Off the remaining ten (10) nations will be out of the qualification race.
ICC WORLD CUP PLAY - OFF:
This particular tournament will take place following the conclusion of all the three levels of qualification (Super League, League Two and Challenge.) and will feature six (6) teams. As spoken about earlier the bottom four (4) nations from the ICC World Cup League Two and the top Two (2) nations from the ICC World Cup Challenge league will feature. The tournament is set to take place in 2022 and will most likely be a two week event. At the conclusion of this the top two (2) nations will progress to the ICC World Cup Qualifier were they will join the bottom five (5) from the Super League, the top three (3) from League Two to form a make or break ten (10) team tournament. For the four (4) nations that fail to finish in the top two (2) that will be the end of their ICC World Cup journey.
The final chance of qualification for the ICC World Cup 2023 will feature ten (10) nations. The bottom five (5) from the ICC World Cup Super League, the top three (3) from the ICC World Cup League Two and the top two (2) from the ICC World Cup Play-Off. This tournament is set to take place in late 2022 and will most likely be a two week event. Unfortunately the ICC continues its mind boggling decision to restrict the World Cup to just Ten (10) nations meaning that only Two (2) nations will progress to the big stage.
ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2023:
A ten team event featuring the best ten (10) cricketing nations in the world. The top eight (8) from the ICC World Cup Super League and the top two (2) from the ICC World Cup Qualifier. Will battle it out for crickets finest and most cherish trophies.
FINAL WORD:
Minus the final decision of a ten (10) nation world cup the ICC must be applauded for applying this new qualifying structure were ever nation regardless off status or ranking must qualify for the World Cup. It also gives every nation meaningful cricket whether that be Australia, PNG or Vanuatu it means that every match across a three (3) year period counts towards something. It also gives associate nations must needed cricket and exposure to bigger nations. For PNG it confirms 36 ODI's and a new level of funding and exposure attached with it.
Also a little slice of history will be heading the Barramundies way when they face Oman on Tuesday, as this is the first match in this new historic format of qualification for what will be an incredible few years of cricket.
Theres something amazing knowing that whether Australia be facing India or PNG are facing Nepal or even Vanuatu facing Denmark that these matches all carry the same weight and pressure of qualification or relegation.
I hope this helps. Go the Barramundies and God Bless.
With Grace Of Great God Barramundis can do it. Go Barramundis , GO PNG . God bless and all the best
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