League To Determine 2015 World Cup Qualifiers

New League To Determine 2015 World Cup Qualifiers

The path to the World Cup remains open for all nations competing in the World Cricket League

©REUTERS/Philip Brown (INDIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) has adopted a proposal from the ICC Development Committee to introduce a 50-over league to determine qualification for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The top two teams in the league will qualiify automatically for the finals while the remaining two qualifiers will be decided at a qualifying tournament which will include the remaining teams and the teams finishing third and fourth in World Cricket League Division Two.

"This will provide exciting context for the new 50-over League with every one of the Associate and Affiliate teams able to make their way from Division eight of the Pepsi World Cricket League all the way to the ICC Cricket World Cup finals," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said.

The CEC also supports the need to improve over-rates and eliminate unnecessary delays during the game, Lorgat adding:

"The concern about over rates remain in Test match cricket and Match Officials, in conjunction with team managers and captains, should take appropriate steps to improve the over rates.

"It is something within our control and must be addressed. Stadia management will also be urged to ensure the efficient operation of the sightscreen and the monitoring of movement around it."

The CEC were also presented with research carried out into the prevention of head injuries, work being carried out in this field by helmet manufacturers and medical teams.

© Cricket World 2011