The groups for the 2011 World Cup have been decided. While the format has not been formally disclosed by the ICC, they have indicated that it will be a quarter-final format i.e. top 4 in each group play in the Quarter finals. The tournament is going to be shortened to 49 matches (from 51) and to around 5 weeks (from 6 weeks).
I personally not a fan of the Quarter final format. We have seen in the past that one bad match and you are out of the tournament. Just think of South Africa. But what the hell can I do about it. I think the recent Champions Trophy is a better format than the World Cup. My own ideal format for the World Cup is as follows: have 14 teams, of which 4 teams get byes into a Super-8 round (top 4 teams from ICC rankings) The 10 remaining teams are divided into two groups of 5 each, and play each other. Top two in each group join the other 4 in the Super-8. In the Super-8, everyone plays each other and top 4 go to the semis. It will be 51 matches (same as 2007), but with at least two matches a day, it can comfortably be completed in 5 weeks or less.
Anyways, I'm not the ICC chief so I can't decide the format. So, without further arguments, I present the 2011 World Cup groups:
Group A - Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya.
Group B - India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands.
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