How the World Cup works

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How the World Cup works

The ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean is the biggest in the tournament's history with 16 teams - two more than in 2003 - taking part. If you thought it was a simple knockout then think again as the tournament involves two group stages and there are seedings to boot. But help is at hand with our stage-by-stage guide. Group stage The 16 teams have been divided into four groups of four and seeded according to their world ranking (at a cut-off date last year when the schedule was announced). Group A: Australia (1), South Africa (5), Scotland (12), The Netherlands (16)
Group B: Sri Lanka (2), India (8), Bangladesh (11), Bermuda (15)
Group C: New Zealand (3), England (7), Kenya (10), Canada (14)
Group D: Pakistan (4), West Indies (6), Zimbabwe (9), Ireland (13)

TIEBREAKERS

Team with the most wins

Team with the higher net run-rate

Team with the most wickets taken by balls bowled

Winner of the game between two level teams

Draw lots

Each team will play every other team in its group. They will get two points for a win, one point for a tie or no result and nought for a defeat. The top two teams from each group will progress to the next phase - the Super Eight. If any teams finish equal on points at the end of the group stages, a series of tiebreakers will be used in order, until one team emerges superior (see right). Super Eight There will be 24 matches in the Super Eight, with each team playing each other, except for the one team they have already faced in the group stage. The points from that group stage match will be carried forward to their Super Eight tally. The top four teams from the Super Eight will progress to the semi-finals and for any tiebreakers the criteria listed in the group stage above will be used. The Super Eight seeding is the same as used in the first round, based on world ranking, with no notice taken of whether a side finishes first or second in a group. For example, if South Africa win Group A and Australia come second, for the purposes of the Super Eight, South Africa will still be A2 and Australia will be A1. If, for example, Scotland qualify instead of Australia, Scotland will become A1. Semi-finals The team that finishes first in the Super Eight stage will play the team which finished fourth. Second will play third. The weather There is a reserve day for every match at the World Cup. Every effort will be made to complete the match on the scheduled day with any necessary reduction in overs taking place. Only if the minimum number of overs (20 per side) cannot be bowled on the scheduled day will the match be completed on the reserve day.

Any incomplete matches will be continued the next day from where they left off - a new game will not be started.

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How the World Cup works

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