SYDNEY: The number of teams taking part in the 2019 World Cup in England has not yet been set in stone, the International Cricket Council said on Friday.
The global governing body has come under fire for its plan to cut the number of teams involved in England in four years' time to 10 from 14, taking part in the ongoing tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
But ICC chief executive David Richardson, in a telephone interview on Friday, said: “I've learnt never to say never to anything. I'm sure the format of the next World Cup will be debated after this one has finished."
Ireland defeated a Test playing nation for the third time in successive World Cup when they thrashed the two times World Champion West Indies in a group stage match. Ireland previously defeated England in 2011 World Cup after beating Pakistan in 2007 World Cup.
"I'm pleased with the performances of the qualifiers so far, but the bigger tests are still to come," said Richardson.