“Cricket enthusiasts, the moment we’ve all been waiting for is just around the corner – the ICC World Cup 2023. It’s the ultimate prize in the cricketing world, a spectacle that unites nations in the spirit of the game. In this blog, we’ll take you on an exciting journey, exploring the teams, players, memorable moments, and all the details you need to know about this grand tournament. Get ready to witness the world’s best cricketers battle it out for glory and become part of the cricketing extravaganza as we count down to the ICC World Cup 2023.
New rules
This is the first ICC World Cup in which penalties for “slow over-rates” will be given to bowling sides if they do not complete their 50 overs in the stipulated time. On-field umpires can penalize the bowling team by not allowing more than four fielders outside the 30-yard circle
Venue
The tournament is taking place in ten different stadiums, situated in ten different cities across India. The first and second semi-finals will be held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and Eden Gardens in Kolkata respectively, while the final will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.[6]
The BCCI has provided funding for renovations and refurbishments at stadiums. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium received a new grass surface, drainage system, seating, and hospitality boxes. Wankhede Stadium had upgrades to the outfield, floodlights, corporate boxes, and toilets. M. A. Chidambaram Stadium installed new floodlights and relaid two wickets.[25]
With the Autumn scheduling of this World Cup, the ICC instituted protocols for reducing the impact of moisture—including dew and rain—on pitch conditions, so that they do not give the team batting second an advantage (as had frequently occurred in the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup). These include using a specific wetting agent, and the boundary set at around 70 m (77 yards) at each stadium, with more grass on the pitch to encourage seam bowling over spin bowling.[26]
The ICC allocated a pool of US$10 million in prize money for the tournament, with payouts remaining the same as the 2019 and 2015 tournaments:[41][42]
Stage
Berths
Prize money (US$)
Total money (US$)
Winner
1
$4,000,000
$4,000,000
Runner-up
1
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
Losing semi-finalists
2
$800,000
$1,600,000
Teams that do not pass the league stage
6
$100,000
$600,000
Winner of each league stage match
45
$40,000
$1,800,000
Total
$10,000,000
Points table
Summary
Week 1
The tournament began on 5 October at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad between the last tournament’s finalists, England and New Zealand. England batted first and were restricted to 282 runs, with Joe Root top-scoring with 77 runs. New Zealand secured a 9-wicket victory, thanks to unbeaten 273 run partnership from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. In the next match, Pakistan won by 81 runs against the Netherlands.[47] Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by 6 wickets.
The ICC has stated that if Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. If India qualifies for the semi-finals, they will play at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai unless India’s opponent is Pakistan (the match will be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in this case). All knockout matches will have a reserve day.[49]
Mumbai
Paul Reiffel
Sharfuddoula
Michael Gough
Nitin Menon
Chris Gaffaney
Ahsan Raza
Marais Erasmus
Kumar Dharmasena
Joel Wilson
Afghanistan
Netherlands