Rains surely get us going but clearly not when our favourite teams are playing for the ICC world cup. With 4 out of 18 matches gone in vain this world cup, it has surely left many wondering the ICC’s decision to host the event in England and Wales.
But, in defence it ain’t ICC’s fault at all as England and Wales were declared hosts for 2019 ICC World Cup back in April 2006 by the then heads of the cricketing nations who voted in the country’s favour.
What’s interesting here the ICC’s rotation policy that has been in place since 1983 which gives each cricket playing bloc in the world, the chance to host the World Cup once in every 20 years but it was due to BCCI’s alleged dominance that the rules weren’t strictly followed and were subject to many changes.
Where India and Pakistan got the chance to host the World Cup in 1987, it was evident that the next destination would be Australia and New Zealand in 1992 followed by Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan in 1996 and England once again in 1999.
While things went smoothly until 2007 when South Africa hosted the event leaving Australia and New Zealand bloc to prep up for 2011 World Cup, it was the Asian bloc (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh) who promised extraordinary profits for the ICC and had the tournament shifted to the subcontinent.
Though a voting session was conducted for the top teams to cast their votes to decide a host for 2011, the Asian bloc came out winning 10-3 and the World Cup moved to Asia, claimed by a report.
The continuation of the same rotational policy gave the 2015 World Cup hosting rights to Australia & New Zealand, leaving no other option but to give the hosting rights for 2019 to England & Wales, who last hosted a World Cup in 1999.
Yes! It saddens us to have so many matches scrapped due to the rains but hey let’s not forget to root for our Men in Blue.
