The World Cup will be shared if the final at the MCG on March 29 is tied – or washed out – after it was decided not to use Super Overs during the knockout phase of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
The 2011 tournament had the provision for one-over eliminators in the event of tied knockout matches, but this time group position will be the deciding factor if teams cannot be separated on the day in either the quarters or semis – a criteria which was needed in the famous 1999 semi-final when Australia tied with South Africa at Edgbaston and progressed by virtue of their higher Super Six position.
However, should the scores be level in the final, two captains will get their hands on the trophy. There will be reserve days available from the quarter-finals onwards in the event of poor weather.
The total prize money on offer during the tournament will be US$10 million, which is a rise of 25% compared to the 2011 event (not 20% as stated in the official ICC release). Teams exiting in the group stage will earn US$35,000, which rises to US$3,750,000 for winning the title outright.
The ICC also confirmed the cut-off date for qualification for the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales, which seemingly ends any chance of a u-turn from it being a 10-team tournament. On September 30, 2017 the top eight-ranked ODI nations will qualify for the World Cup with those ranked at nine and 10 playing in a qualification tournament, to be held in Bangladesh in 2018.
Originally next year’s World Cup was set to be a 10-team event – a decision announced days after the 2011 final in Mumbai – but the outrage from Associate nations promoted a rethink and retention of the 14-team tournament for one more cycle. Ireland, Scotland, Afghanistan and UAE are joining the 10 Full Members in Australia and New Zealand, but for the next World Cup there is no guarantee of any Associate nations being present.
There is also a cut-off for qualification for the 2017 Champions Trophy – which will also be staged in England – after the tournament was revived following the decision not to progress with the Test Championship. The top eight nations on September 30, 2015 will qualify for the tournament.
West Indies are currently No. 8 in the ODI rankings although there is a considerable gap of 27 points to Bangladesh in ninth.