Netherlands opener Max O’Dowd has criticised the ICC’s revamped formats for the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup, arguing that the governing body’s latest changes make the qualification pathway even more difficult for Associate nations.
The criticism came shortly after the ICC confirmed changes to the structure of its global events during its annual meetings in Edinburgh. While the 2027 ODI World Cup will continue to feature 14 teams, the tournament will now include an additional qualification stage before the main competition begins, with the ICC stating that the objective is to create more meaningful contests and improve the overall tournament experience.
O’Dowd questions Associate pathway
O’Dowd took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration, pointing out how many qualification stages Associate teams already have to navigate before even reaching a World Cup.
“So you’re telling me, associate sides have to play in a 3-year 50-over tournament, to qualify for a qualifier, to qualify for another tri-series qualifier, to then qualify for a World Cup,” O’Dowd wrote.
His comments echo concerns that have long been raised by Associate nations, many of whom believe the international calendar provides them with too few meaningful fixtures while making qualification for ICC events increasingly demanding.
Ashwin calls for more opportunities
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin agreed that the revised tournament format could improve competitiveness but argued that structural changes alone would not help the game grow.
“The ICC’s changes to the fixture format for the 2027 ODI World Cup and 2028 T20 World Cup make sense from a competitiveness standpoint. But if the final goal is to grow the game, there needs to be a stronger pathway for emerging nations,” Ashwin posted on X.
He suggested that teams such as the Netherlands, Scotland, Nepal, USA and Ireland should feature regularly as the third team in bilateral ODI series, giving them more high-quality cricket instead of relying primarily on qualification tournaments.
According to Ashwin, providing Associate nations with consistent international exposure would not only strengthen the global game but also benefit cricket ahead of its return to the Olympic Games.
Debate over growth continues
The ICC believes its revised formats will make every World Cup match carry greater significance. However, O’Dowd’s response highlights a debate that has followed international cricket for years.
While the governing body is looking to increase competition at the biggest events, Associate players continue to argue that the sport cannot truly expand unless emerging nations are given more opportunities to compete against Full Members long before World Cup qualification begins.
