London: Australian captain Aaron Finch has endorsed the round-robin format of this year's World Cup, declaring it does not allow any nation to hide.
There is a belief among some officials that the 46-day, 10-nation tournament, culminating in the final at Lord's on July 14, is a week too long. This could be eased with more double headers, for only on a Saturday and some Wednesdays have there been two matches staged.
Debate over the length of the tournament is familiar refrain but there is rarely any significant movement because broadcasters want maximum ratings, particularly for matches involving sub-continent nations. By having two matches per day, it could dilute viewership.
The return to a single pool group of matches, followed by two semi-finals, for the first time since the 1992 tournament was held in Australia has also split opinion.
The 2015 event, also held in Australia and New Zealand, had 14 nations, initially split into two groups of seven, with the top four from each group qualifying for the quarter finals.
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Cricket World Cups have previously also had super six or super eight stages, the latter being the case in the disastrous 2007 campaign in the Caribbean.
Finch said this year's model – which had seen his side book a semi-final berth with two pool matches remaining – had not gone on for too long.
"I think compared to the last World Cup, when you're in groups, you can sort of dodge teams. For example, we didn't play South Africa in the last World Cup, and they are such a great side, or they were a great side in that World Cup," he said.
"They were so dangerous and unlucky not to make the final, but we didn't have to play them at any point in the competition I really like the idea of having everyone play each other.
"It would be nice to get some more teams in there but then I think you're looking at a tournament that goes probably a bit too long. I personally think the balance is really good at the moment."
South African captain Faf du Plessis said this format meant teams needed to find their groove quickly.
"This tournament is a lot tougher than it used to be. The quarter finals, I remember the previous World Cup, I don't think we played great cricket to get to the quarter finals but we got to the final," he said.
"So you can almost afford a few slip-ups in a tournament like that but with this, just semi finals tiers, you have to be on top of your game or you won't make it."
Many consider the 1999 tournament, held in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, as the best format. The 12 nations were divided into two groups of six, with the top three from each progressing through to the super sixes. Teams carriRead More – Source
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