ICC ponders shorter World Cup

Proposals including a shorter 2011 World Cup and the introduction of further technology to international cricket will be put to the International Cricket Council's board next month.

During two days of talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the ICC's chief executives committee suggested a reduction in length from the 2007 tournament and a decision review system to be trialled later this year.

Both now need to be rubber-stamped by the governing body's full board next month.

The plan is for the Asian tournament - to be held in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - to be completed in 38 days, a significant reduction on last year's event in the Caribbean, which lasted 47 days.

As anticipated, it has been proposed that the number of competing countries be cut from 16 to 14 - a move which would reduce the number of associate teams.

The new format would include the top four teams from two groups of seven progressing to the quarter-final knockout stage.

"Television is set to play a greater role in umpiring than previously if the idea of allowing each team three chances to appeal for replays if they disagree with decisions is given the green light.

England could be the guinea pigs for the scheme - during the Test series with South Africa from July 10 onwards - as they were for the now defunct substitute system in one-day internationals.

"There is definitely a mood for change," said ICC president elect David Morgan.

"I was in Australia during the Test series against India - and I said then that we have to embrace technology to make umpires' decision-making safer.

"We do not want to take any authority away from them, but this system will give them more information.

"The plan still needs the approval of the ICC executive board, as well as the captains and national boards of England and South Africa. But if it goes through, it will be trialled across the whole series.

"We have already seen one trial in one-day cricket, where the field is pretty well spread. But there may be more call for TV referrals in a Test, where you have more spin bowling and fielders clustered around the bat."