'Incredibly disappointing': Captains react to ODI World Cup changes

Several international captains and players have criticised the ICC's revamped Men's ODI World Cup format, with Netherlands captain Scott Edwards calling it "incredibly disappointing" and arguing that the game should be creating "more opportunities on the global stage, not less". Scotland skipper Richie Berrington urged administrators to "meaningfully" consult players on major decisions.

The reactions came through the World Cricketers' Association (WCA) after the ICC approved a revamped 2027 ODI World Cup format, introducing a Super Series featuring the three lowest-ranked qualified teams, with only one progressing to the 12-team main stage before the tournament moves into a Super 7 phase.

Edwards said the revised pathway altered the reward for years of planning and investment by Associate nations. "Qualifying for an ODI World Cup is a huge achievement for any country, so when the reality of that opportunity changes after years of planning, it's incredibly disappointing. The ICC talks a lot about growing the game globally but decisions like this make it harder for associate nations to play against the best teams in the world. Those opportunities are what helps countries improve and inspires the next generation of players. If we're serious about making cricket a global sport, we should be creating more opportunities on the global stage, not less."

Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus said an ODI World Cup was "our long form" for many Associate players and that qualification should provide "a real opportunity to compete on the biggest stage".

"For players in many countries, an ODI World Cup isn't just another tournament, it's our long form and something careers are built around and generations of players aspire to. We all accept that you have to earn the right to be there, but we also want qualification to provide a real opportunity to compete on the biggest stage. This follows a long history of limited opportunity at associate level."

Ireland captain Paul Stirling said Associate nations had "consistently proven to add value and interest at global events" and pointed to football's World Cup as an example of how smaller teams can enrich major tournaments. "The smaller and associate countries have consistently proven to add value and interest at global events. The football World Cup we've just witnessed is testament to that in other sports and it would be great to see cricket take a similar approach to maximise opportunities for the game."

Berrington, meanwhile, said players should be "meaningfully consulted" on decisions that have a significant impact on the game and on their careers. "Players don't expect to make every decision, but we should be meaningfully consulted on decisions that have significant impacts on the game and on players' careers. Better decisions are made when different perspectives are brought to the table, and we're urging the game to start doing that properly."

USA's Harmeet Singh said World Cup opportunities meant a great deal not only for players but also for "growing the game in emerging countries", adding: "Countries, and players invest years preparing for opportunities like an ODI World Cup. Those opportunities mean a lot, not just for the players involved but for growing the game in emerging countries and for the fans who invest in the game. That's why decisions like these matter well beyond one tournament."

New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell also backed "consistent and fair opportunities" for teams around the world, saying: "We are fully supportive of players and countries around the world being provided with consistent and fair opportunities to reach and compete on the game's biggest platforms."