Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAustralia are the defending ODI World Cup champions (Getty)Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association have strongly criticised the International Cricket Council over proposed structural changes to next year's 50-over World Cup, warning the move threatens the integrity of international cricket. Under the ICC's new format, the central phase of the tournament will feature 12 nations split into two groups, forcing the three lowest-seeded qualifiers to compete in an initial round from which only a single team will progress. A preliminary qualifying tournament running from 22 February until 23 March will determine which sides advance directly and which enter the newly created opening round. The governing bodies of Scotland and the Netherlands, currently ranked 13th and 14th in men's ODI rankings respectively, expressed deep disappointment that meaningful opportunities for emerging nations are being reduced less than 18 months before the event, and raised “significant concerns’ over the changes.Following two meetings to demand official written communication and transparent decision-making, Cricket Scotland and the KNCB accused the ICC of being disrespectful after leaving their requests unanswered for over two weeks. In fullScotland and Netherlands hit out at controversial changes to 2027 Cricket World Cup formatMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in