The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is back! And while you might consider cricket a serene game, far away from dispute and political controversy, this very British sport has been the historical epicentre of national frictions, racial tensions, and political upheavals.
This year’s tournament is due to be hosted by India, and there’s already been plenty of drama! Perhaps that crack of leather on willow is less tranquil than you give it credit for?
This article explores fascinating facts and top tips about the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2023.
And it's not even necessary to be a fan to find this year's tournament an essential talking point.
As mentioned, India is due to host the 13th edition of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, marking the fourth time the country has held the prestigious event.
After initial postponement, the tournament is scheduled to run through October and November of 2023, featuring ten teams competing in a round-robin format followed by knockouts.
India, as the host nation, will automatically qualify for the competition, with the remaining teams determined through various qualification pathways.
The 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup will follow a similar format to the 2019 edition, starting with a round-robin stage, followed by knockouts.
In the round-robin stage, all ten teams will compete against each other once. A victory earns the winning side two points, while a no-result or draw will mean the sides each win a single point.
At the end of this first stage, the highest-scoring four teams qualify for the semi-finals.
And the winners of each semi-final advance to the final to determine the champion.
The ICC CWCSL (Cricket World Cup Super League) serves as the primary qualification pathway for the 2023 tournament.
The top seven sides in the CWCSL table, along with India, will gain direct entry into the competition.
Then, the remaining two teams are determined via games between:
This will determine the final two teams to qualify for the World Cup.
This year’s world cup tournament marks the last time ten teams will compete. This is because the 2027 World Cup will expand to fourteen teams.
The first ever ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup took place at Lord’s in England in 1975. And 2023 marks the 13th edition of this exciting tournament.
India has hosted the tournament three times previously, but 2023 will be the first time it will be the sole host.
Previous co-hosting years include:
England won in 2019, so are the defending champions after winning on home soil during a thrilling final against New Zealand.
Australia holds the record for the most World Cup titles, with five championships to their name.
The 2023 tournament was initially scheduled for February/March but the Coronavirus pandemic led to its postponement.
According to the latest information from the ICC, the tournament will run in October and November, with the tournament’s final slated for November 26th.
However, a dispute between the Indian and Pakistani cricket boards has raised discussions on potential hosting changes.
Pakistan did not initially commit to participating in the 2023 World Cup despite qualifying for the tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed that they were boycotting the event because India abstained from participating in the 2023 Asia Cup, stating security concerns about sending their team to Pakistan.
However, a resolution was brokered in March 2023, but there’s no guarantee that things won’t change in the meantime!
Ten teams will participate in the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup.
Eight teams have already qualified:
The final two participating teams will be determined through a World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe featuring:
The full schedule and fixtures for the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup will be announced once the final ten teams have qualified.
However, working backwards from the proposed date of the final (November 26th), the semi-finals are expected to occur on November 21st and 23rd.
The forty-five round-robin matches will likely begin in early or mid-October, with at least one game scheduled daily.
Come back closer to the time: we’ll keep updating as soon as the details change.
While the exact venues are as yet unconfirmed, there are fourteen possible locations in India where matches could take place:
However, the top tip for the location of the final is the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, with a capacity of 130,000 spectators.
While no strategy can ever guarantee success, considering certain factors and following top tips can improve your chances when betting on the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup.
Some essential details to keep in mind:
In-play betting is an important strategy for the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup. In-play bets, also known as live bets, allow punters to place wagers during the game, taking into account the momentum and conditions of the match.
In-play betting offers a different set of betting markets than pre-match betting, allowing bets on specific balls and overs throughout the game.
Before placing a bet, it's crucial to research the conditions of the match. Different grounds, pitches, and weather conditions can favour specific teams or players.
For instance, a pitch conducive to fast bowling may favour a team with a strong lineup of fast bowlers.
The toss can be critical, identifying which team will chase or defend because specific grounds may be better suited for one or the other.
Live bets give you a chance to bet after the toss, potentially changing the outcome of your bet.
Considering the form of players and teams is essential when betting on the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup.
Analyzing recent performances can provide insight into a team's momentum and expectations for the tournament.
Cricket is played on a field, with the batting and bowling taking place on an area known as the Pitch.
A typical pitch is 20.12m long and 3.05m long, making the overall area 61.366m².
Why the odd dimensions? Well, they calculated the original pitch dimensions in Imperial measurements — 22 yards long by 10 ft wide.
Here’s a bit of trivia for you! If you lay heavy-duty anti-fatigue matting onto a cricket pitch, it would cost you around £1800.
How did we work that out?
Well, the largest pre-cut size of anti-fatigue matting First Mats supplies is 1.2m wide x 18.3m long, which costs £593.20.
So, three of this sized mat would just about cover the pitch. Therefore, 3 x £593.20 is £1,779.60.
It’s early days, and things could still change.
So, bookmark this article, and we’ll keep it updated as new details become clear!
Thanks for reading! And happy world cup!
Richard O'Connor is a Director at First Mats. He has deep knowledge in areas like Manufacturing, Warehousing, Marine, and Health & Safety. Richard's insights have been featured in well-known publications such as Bloomberg Business, The Sun, and Reader's Digest. His blend of industry expertise and passion for sharing makes him a sought-after voice in his fields.
