Point System in the Super Six Round. Review on Cricket

Hi Guys, It took me a lot of time to write this review. I know its lengthy but please please read and comment on it.

Cricket lovers all over the world are anxiously waiting for the forthcoming cricket world cup. There are several questions that are being asked::

Who would score the most number of runs in this world cup? Who would take more wickets?

Who would win more man of the match awards?

Who would hit the most number of sixes?

Who would make it to the Super Six?

And eventually Who would be the new World Champion?

These are just a few of the questions coming to our mind. But what about the rules set forth by the ICC. What about the World Cup Format? In this review I would like to talk about the Super Six Round that was included for the first time in the World Cup, in 1999 and would be a part of the schedule again in 2003.

First of all advantages of the Super Six Round:

The biggest advantage of the Super Six Round is that it increases the importance of the league stage. In the World Cups played before, we had 8 teams making it to the Quarter finals and almost everyone knew who would make it to the top 8, months before the World Cup. So, the only important games were Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, and the Final. But, league games in the 1999 World Cup were extremly interesting, important and competetive. We saw England(hosts), Sri Lanka(defending champs), and West Indies(the so called Brazil of the World Cup) failing to make it to the Super Six Round.

Another advantage is that it helps the sore eyes of cricket fans to see more cricket. After enjoying the league stage, they get to see the top six teams competing to make it to the final four. So, Super Six Round adds great interest and competition to the world cup.

Now Disadvantages:: For me there is only one but very major disadvantage. And that is the point system. The point system is not only unfair but it also kills the interest in that round. Before I comment on the point system, I would like to explain it a bit, for those who are not familiar with it.

Three Top Teams from each group make it to the Super Six Stage. Lets say teams A1, A2, A3 enter Super Six from group A And teams B1, B2, B3 enter Super Six from group B. They would play each other in the following format:

A1 Vs B1 A2 Vs B1 A3 Vs B1

A1 Vs B2 A2 Vs B2 A3 Vs B2

A1 Vs B3 A3 Vs B3 A3 Vs B3

But the problem is that the teams already have some points before they even enter the Super Six Stage. And this is how that works:

Lets say that in the league stage A1 defeated A2 and A3. That would mean that A1 has got 4 points(2 Points for defeating each A2 and A3). In 1999 World Cup Zimbabwe was A1 as it had defeated both South Africa, and India(the other two entrants of the Super Six Round). Now even if A2 and A3, both won the same number of games but A2 defeated A3 then A2 would enter the round with 2 points. But the unlucky A3 would have 0 points to start the round. Now that means that the team A1 might play the semifinals even without winning a game and the team A3 might not be able to make it to the finals inspite of winning two games. This is complete bullshit.

I know some of you are still trying to figure out this whole process and cursing me out for not making sense. But trust me, even the best of cricket writers and commentators struggled to explain this complicated round to the viewers. Zimbabwe could have made it to the semi's had one of the games being won by them or if a game would have been washed away due to rain. India and Australia were the unfortunate teams that needed to win every single game in order to make it to the semis. While Pakistan and Zimbabwe had the luxury of making it to the semis by winning just one of the three games to make it to the semis. I was pissed off because of this very complicated and unfair procedure. We had to see India play New Zealand knowing that they would be taking a flight back home irrespective of the outcome of the game.

I also hated to see Pakistan lose to South Africa, and India and still enter the semi final as the number one team just because of their good league performance. Teams from one group hadn't faced the other group teams so why should they have any sort of advantage over them because of their league performance.

Now here is a suggestion that I hope reaches the ICC: The Super Six Round can be made very interesting and competitive by choosing the given suggestion:

Start Each Team with ZERO points. Yes, tell them congratualtions for making it to the top six, and tell them to fight for the top four slots. Its 100% fair and easy. Isn't that what happened in the last 5 world cups. One Quarter Final, you either go home or stay. At least here each team would have 3 games to prove their worth. So let the six giants fight and pick the top four based on number of points(run rate if points match).

Hopefully, ICC would take notice of some of these concerns and they will be able to provide us with an entertaining, competetive, and unbiased round.

Guys, It took me hell of a time to write this review. I know I have written some really nonsense and stupid reviews before but I have worked on this one. So please take your time to read it and please please add a comment. I would greatly appreciate that.

Criticism, Comments Welcome

Looking forward to a great World Cup.

Jatt Sharabi.