The International Cricket Council is understood to be considering widening the pathway to the controversial 10-team World Cup in 2019 in a move that will provide greater hope of qualification to teams such as Ireland and Afghanistan.

As it stands, the next edition of the 50-over showpiece will see the top eight of the 12-team ICC rankings – on 30 September 2017 – go through by right, with the final two spots decided by a qualifying tournament the following year. But following criticism of that structure as part of the World Cup’s overall reduction from 14 teams down to 10, the ICC is mulling over whether to cut the number of sides that book their places via the rankings to six, leaving four berths up for grabs.

By plunging the bottom six teams into the ICC World Cup qualifier in Bangladesh in 2018, the tweak would also add increased context to one-day internationals played over the next two years with the top sides more fearful of dropping into the bottom half of the table.

England are currently sixth in the rankings – they would be assured of their place as tournament hosts – and were the cut-off point to occur today, full members Bangladesh, West Indies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe, along with leading associate sides Ireland and Afghanistan, would vie with four additional teams for the final four places.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

So Lloyd's novel idea of using the platform of the last World Cup to rebuild for the next World Cup would be short circuited if the team fails to even qualify for the next World Cup!

Brilliant!

We don't need our best team (with the so-called PD & "star players")just those that do not cause too many waves.

So we can continue to lose to the likes of Bangladesh (and by an inning to a rebuilding SL)so long as our players show 'commitment' and the right attitude, if not much ability to play international cricket!

Din know it was possible to lose by an inning in an ODI

In reply to Maispwi

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

The only loop hole that ICC needs to fix for the ranking system to be effective is the "Boards ability" to play or not play a series as per their convenience.

For example,
Recently Pakistan pulled out of the Zimbabwe tour, only to go after the 30th September 2015 cut off date for Champions Trophy Qualification.

In Addition, If ICC wants the system to be fair, then each team must have equal number of matches and against all opponents for the Ranking System to work.

Thats why instead of Bilateral ODI's, its really time for having a standard international system of ODIs and T20s.