Cricket South Africa to bid for 2027 World Cup

Cricket South Africa's president Rihan Richards declared that the board is going to bid for the 2027 ICC World Cup. The CSA chief Richards also disclosed the governance model for the cricket board along with this massive announcement at a press conference. The African country has earlier hosted the 2003 men's World Cup and the 2005 women's World Cup. South Africa has also hosted the inaugural 2007 World T20 and the 2009 Champions Trophy. The African nation has organized two U-19 tournaments as well. 

Earlier, South Africa's Sports Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, announced that he would no longer be withdrawing government recognition of CSA. He had threatened last week after the failure of the members' council, headed by Rihan Richards, to reach an agreement with an interim board on a governance structure. For the next eight-year cycle, Rihan Richards is going to be involved with the International Cricket Council events. This will commence with the bidding process for the 2027 World Cup. The Bidding process is anticipated to open within a few months from now. Rihan Richards has also already revealed his plans.

Our main area of interest would be the 2027 men's World Cup: Rihan Richard

Rihan Richard has clearly stated that Cricket South Africa is going to bid for both men's and women's cricket world cups, Under 19 cricket World Cup, and a T20 World Cup. CSA President further reckoned that their primary area of interest would be the 2027 men's World Cup. He also believes that this would be the perfect chance as they last hosted a cricket World Cup 24 years back in 2003.

For the last few months, the ICC council members have been discussing on the size of the World Cup occasionally through virtual conferences. A report in Cricbuzz also suggests that a general agreement is emerging on the 14-team format for the ODI World Cup in the upcoming eight-year cycle, from 2023 to 31. There was certainly a demand to have 16 teams, too, like in 2007. However, the concept does not have the approval of the majority.

Meanwhile, ICC is still in an enigma whether to have six or eight ODI World Cups in the cycle. An eight-event process was sanctioned in 2019 with sceptical participation from the BCCI. However, the new BCCI council members have made some positive responses. ICC is also optimistic of hosting host eight World Cups in the next cycle.

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