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Revisiting the 2019 World Cup and the league format
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will follow the same format as the previous edition four years ago, meaning that all 10 teams will face one another.
With a new format set to be introduced in 2027, this will be the final go-around for the 10-team Group Stage which provides 45 entertaining encounters to decide on four semi-finalists.
In 2019, that began with a thrilling clash between England and South Africa at The Oval – the home side getting off to a winning start on their way to a maiden ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup victory.
With every team playing nine matches, the Group Stage lasted six weeks, with ebbs and flows as new contenders emerged.
The beauty of the format meant that a slow start was not necessarily fatal to a team’s chances of progressing.
In 2019, for example, Pakistan started very slowly, winning just one of their opening five matches – earning a 14-run success over eventual champions England at Trent Bridge.
Despite that, Pakistan finished with four successive victories to get to within a whisker of qualification, missing out on the semi-finals on net run-rate.
They finished level on points with runners-up New Zealand and just one point behind England as momentum almost carried them into the semi-finals as the form side.
At the other end of the spectrum, Australia were the first team to clinch a place in the last four, winning six of their first seven matches, the only exception a defeat to India.
India were the next team to book their semi-final spot, beating Bangladesh on their way to leading the Group Stage with seven wins from nine matches.
However, the World Cup is as much about timing your run as being fast starters, and it was the hosts and the Kiwis who found their best form come semi-final time.
With every team having had their chance to take on the world’s best, the knock-out stages were all about peaking on the day.
First up were India and New Zealand, who faced off over two days at Old Trafford as the weather played its part in proceedings.
It went down to the wire, but some stunning fielding from Martin Guptill to remove MS Dhoni in the penultimate over helped the Black Caps to an 18-run victory.
The following day, England were rather more emphatic in avenging their Group Stage loss to Australia, powering to an eight-wicket win to earn a place in the final for the first time since 1992.
Those results meant that the final would crown a new champion for the first time in more than two decades since Sri Lanka had claimed victory as one of the hosts in 1996.
England went onto emulate the Sri Lankans, famously doing so in the most dramatic circumstances at Lord’s.
New Zealand made 241 for eight batting first, before England matched that total, bowled out for 241 in reply to set up a Super Over.
Again, the teams matched each other blow for blow in the Super Over, each scoring 15 runs, as England were crowned champions on boundaries scored.
Victors in the first game, champions in the last, England showed just how to manage this Cricket World Cup format on their way to lifting the trophy.
The question now is, will they be able to repeat the feat or will someone else prove to be the masters of the 10-team Group Stage set-up?
Colombo | Friday, 13 June 2025 | Kickoff: 4:00 PM (IST)
Sri Lanka will kick off their Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025 Pool A campaign this Friday (13th June) at ARMC #1 in Colombo, taking on higher-ranked South Korea in a crucial Round 1 encounter.
This marks South Korea’s first match of the tournament, while Sri Lanka enters the game high on confidence, following a resounding 59-19 win against Malaysia on April 19 at the Racecourse Ground, Colombo.
However, the Lankan Lions face a potential setback, with skipper Nigel Ratwatte possibly missing the match due to illness. Sources close to the team confirm that Nigel is recovering from a fever and remains a game-time decision. His absence could leave a leadership gap as Sri Lanka look to challenge a technically sound South Korean outfit.
World Rugby Rankings Ahead of the Clash:
- South Korea: Ranked 35th, 50.77 points
- Sri Lanka: Ranked 39th, 47.99 points
The upcoming match is not only vital for tournament progression but also crucial for World Rugby ranking points, with Sri Lanka having a golden opportunity to close the gap on their Pool A rivals.
With the home crowd behind them and recent form in their favour, Sri Lanka will be hoping for a strong start—even without their inspirational skipper.
June 11, Lord’s – ICC World Test Championship Final
The much-anticipated ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 kicked off at Lord’s with South Africa taking early control by reducing Australia to 67/4 at lunch on Day 1.
After winning the toss and electing to field first under overcast conditions, South Africa’s pace attack made immediate inroads into Australia’s top order. Marco Jansen was the pick of the bowlers in the opening session, claiming 2 wickets for 27 runs in 7.2 overs. Wiaan Mulder offered excellent support, keeping things tight with 3 maidens in his 6-over spell.
Australia Struggle Under Pressure
Veteran batter Steve Smith remained at the crease with a fighting 26 off 51 balls, trying to anchor the innings after early setbacks. He will be joined by Travis Head (11*) as Australia looks to rebuild post-lunch.
Current Score: Australia 67/4 (23.2 overs)
Fall of Wickets: 67/4
Session: Day 1 – Lunch
World Test Championship 2023–25 Standings (Before Final)
| Pos | Team | Pld | Pts | PCT (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 12 | 100 | 69.44 |
| 2 | Australia | 19 | 154 | 67.54 |
| 3 | India | 19 | 114 | 50.00 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 81 | 48.21 |
| 5 | England | 22 | 114 | 43.18 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 13 | 60 | 38.46 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 12 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 8 | West Indies | 13 | 44 | 28.21 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 14 | 47 | 27.98 |
Top 2 teams qualify for the final. Teams are ranked by percentage of points won. Points deductions apply for slow over rates.
Top Performers This Cycle
Batting Leaders:
- Joe Root (ENG) – 1,968 runs | Avg: 54.66 (40 innings)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND) – 1,798 runs | Avg: 52.88 (36 innings)
- Ben Duckett (ENG) – [Stats not fully available]
Bowling Leaders:
- Jasprit Bumrah (IND) – 77 wickets | Avg: 15.09 (28 innings)
- Pat Cummins (AUS) – 73 wickets | Avg: 24.54 (33 innings)
- Mitchell Starc (AUS) – 72 wickets | Avg: 27.27 (35 innings)
Sri Lanka’s Position
Sri Lanka sits at 6th on the table with 60 points from 13 matches and a 38.46% win rate. With one more cycle ahead before the next WTC final in 2027, the Lions have plenty to play for as they look to rise up the rankings.
Colombo, June 11 – Sri Lanka bounced back in style in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers with a commanding 3–1 victory over Chinese Taipei in their Group D clash held in Colombo. The win comes as a crucial lifeline for the Lions, who are now level on points with Thailand and firmly in the race for qualification.
After a narrow defeat in their opening match against Thailand, Sri Lanka showcased character, discipline, and attacking flair against a struggling Chinese Taipei side.
De Silva Shines Bright for Sri Lanka
The star of the night was undoubtedly Dillon De Silva, who delivered a match-winning performance. He provided an early assist for Wazeem Razeek before scoring a stunning goal to put Sri Lanka ahead 2–0. De Silva continued to dictate the game and capped off his night with a second assist in the final stages, wrapping up a well-deserved victory for the home side.
“This win is a turning point for us. We showed heart and belief. Our fans deserved this,” said De Silva after the match.
Group D Standings After Matchday 2
Position Team Played W–D–L Goals (F–A) GD Points
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turkmenistan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 |
| 2 | Thailand | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 4 | Chinese Taipei | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
The group remains wide open, with Sri Lanka now needing strong results against both Thailand and Turkmenistan to keep their hopes alive for a historic qualification to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia.
What’s Next?
Sri Lanka will next face group leaders Turkmenistan in a crucial encounter. With momentum back on their side and home support growing, the national team will look to carry this energy forward and push for qualification glory.
Sri Lanka Set to Face South Korea in Asia Rugby Men’s Championship – Skipper Nigel in Doubt
AUS 67/4 at Lunch as South Africa Dominate Early on Day 1 of WTC Final 2025 at Lord’s
Sri Lanka Roars Back in AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers with 3–1 Victory Over Chinese Taipei
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