Scotland and Netherlands condemn ICC’s overhaul of ODI World Cup format

Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association have issued a joint statement sharply criticising the ICC’s recent overhaul of the Men’s ODI World Cup format. The boards said they met the ICC twice seeking written clarification on the changes and the process behind them, but received no response for more than two weeks, calling the silence “disappointing” and “disrespectful”. They argue the new structure, which expands the tournament to 14 teams but introduces a four‑round system with an early elimination, undermines progress made by Associate nations and reduces meaningful opportunities at a crucial time for global growth.

The statement stresses that major decisions affecting Associates must involve proper consultation and sufficient notice, warning that sudden changes disrupt planning and strain already limited resources. With the next World Cup less than eighteen months away, Scotland and the Netherlands say the timing erodes confidence in qualification pathways. Both teams will compete in the February 2027 qualifier.