07-06-2024, 12:02 PM
I see the latest Sky cricket deal, through to 2031, is directly with the ICC rather than via Star Sports as has previously been the case.
Does feel like cricket is always having some sort of World Cup and the format this year beginning with 20 teams across 4 groups does mean basically 40 largely unevenly matched ties (on paper) before things get more interesting in the Super 8 stage.
I've said before the FIFA World Cup is likely to have a similar problem with their expansion meaning it might not be until game 65, or even 81, that things get interesting. The Rugby World Cup expanding to 24 teams will also mean we go from 12 top 12 clashes in the group stage to just 6, although with 4 less group matches that is less of an issue.
Does feel like cricket is always having some sort of World Cup and the format this year beginning with 20 teams across 4 groups does mean basically 40 largely unevenly matched ties (on paper) before things get more interesting in the Super 8 stage.
I've said before the FIFA World Cup is likely to have a similar problem with their expansion meaning it might not be until game 65, or even 81, that things get interesting. The Rugby World Cup expanding to 24 teams will also mean we go from 12 top 12 clashes in the group stage to just 6, although with 4 less group matches that is less of an issue.