ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, covering all the essential information

Cricket fans around the world are preparing for the exhilarating action that will begin on October 5 as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 gets ready to begin. Here is all you need to know before the first ball is bowled as the cricketing world gathers for this monumental event.

Group Format

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will follow the same format as its 2019 counterpart. The ten participating teams will engage in a round-robin contest, where each team plays against every other side once. The top four teams in the points table will progress to the semi-finals, culminating in the grand finale on November 20.

Points Tally for Semi-Finals

Based on the 2019 edition, a team securing seven victories from nine matches should secure a spot in the semi-finals. For teams accumulating six wins, the qualification becomes precarious. In case of points ties, total wins and net run rate will serve as tie-breakers, emphasizing the significance of accumulating seven wins to secure a semi-final berth.

How Teams Qualified

Apart from host India, the next seven teams earned their spots through the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. The bottom five teams participated in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, along with other teams from League 2 and the Qualifier Play-off tournament. Sri Lanka and the Netherlands secured their places in Cricket World Cup 2023 via the Qualifier, showcasing their mettle.

Prize Money

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 features a total prize pool of US$10 million. The tournament winners will claim US$4 million, while the runners-up will receive US$2 million. Additionally, teams will earn US$40,000 for each group stage victory.

Venues

Ten renowned cricketing grounds across India will host the 13th edition of the World Cup. Notable venues include:

1. Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad: The world’s largest sports stadium will host the tournament opener, India vs. Pakistan match, and the final.
2. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru: Known for its small boundaries, this venue promises high-scoring encounters.
3. M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai: This venue will likely be the most humid, offering unique playing conditions.
4. Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi: The pace of the wicket in India’s capital has sped up, hinting at higher scores.
5. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, Dharamsala: Set amidst the Himalayan mountains, this ground offers picturesque views and high-scoring contests.
6. Eden Gardens, Kolkata: Known for its lively pitch and breezy conditions, it will host crucial matches, including a semi-final.
7. BRSABVE Cricket Stadium, Lucknow: A relatively newer ground, it promises exciting encounters.
8. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai: Featuring a distinct red-soil pitch, it will host important matches, including a semi-final.
9. MCA International Stadium, Pune: Known for its balanced pitch, it will host key matches in the latter stages.
10. Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad: This stadium will host three early matches, including a crucial clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Reserve Days

Reserve days are scheduled for both semi-finals and the tournament final in case of inclement weather.

Tickets

Tickets for various Cricket World Cup fixtures are available, with more to come for the general public. Details can be found at tickets.cricketworldcup.com/explore/c/icc-cricket-world-cup.

Fixtures and Live Scores

Stay updated with all the matches and live scores on www.cricketworldcup.com/fixtures.

Warm-up Matches

All participating teams will play two warm-up matches each, commencing on September 29. For fixture details and live scores, visit https://worldcuppointstables.com/category/cricket-world-cup/icc-odi-world-cup-2023/warm-up-matches

Squads

All teams must finalize their 15-player squads by September 28, with any replacements requiring ICC approval.

Kits

Several teams have revealed their playing kits for the tournament, with New Zealand’s kit paying homage to the 1996 World Cup campaign held in India.

As the cricketing world eagerly anticipates the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, prepare to witness captivating battles and memorable moments in this prestigious tournament.