The 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup is set to take place from October 5 to November 19, when India will host the ICC's showpiece event for the fourth time since the tournament's inception.
Before that, though, all the teams taking part will play a number of warm-up matches to prepare.
Those games will be held from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 in three cities across India. Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati will host the official warm-up games that will be open to the public.
How many players can play in the World Cup warm-up matches for a team?
All competing countries have submitted their final 15-member squad to ICC.
The rules for a warm-up match in cricket are indeed similar to those of a regular cricket match, with a few key relaxations. Here are the key points regarding the rules for warm-up matches:
Playing XI Announcement: Unlike regular matches, in warm-up matches, the team captain is not required to announce the playing XI (eleven players) in advance. This allows flexibility in deciding the final playing lineup.
Player Rotation: Each team is allowed to rotate players from their 15-member squad during the match. This means that substitutions and changes in the playing lineup can be made as needed, provided that there are always 11 players on the field.
Batting rules: Only 11 batsmen can bat despite all 15 members are allowed to field.
Bowling rules: All 15 members of the squad can bowl. But they are limited to the usual 10 overs for each bowler.
MORE: Cricket World Cup 2023 full match schedule | Bet on Cricket World Cup and other matches here (selected territories)
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 warm-up matches
India
The host nation are taking part in the Asia Cup in preparation for their home tournament, and then have official warm-up matches against England and the Netherlands.
Those two games will see packed stadiums as the crowds will throng to the grounds to get a glimpse of the stars who will shoulder the responsibility of trying to win a home tournament.
| Date | Venue | Match | Result |
| Sept. 30, 2023 | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | India vs England | |
| Oct. 3, 2023 | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | India vs Netherlands |
New Zealand
The Black Caps have an ODI series against England starting on September 8, and Bangladesh on September 21st, and will then face Pakistan and South Africa in warm-up matches.
| Date | Venue | Match | Result |
| Sept. 29, 2023 | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | New Zealand vs Pakistan | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
| Oct. 2, 2023 | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | New Zealand vs South Africa |
South Africa
South Africa are yet to win an ICC trophy and will look to set the tone for the World Cup by winning against Afghanistan and New Zealand in their warm-up matches. Before that, they will sharpen their skills against Australia in a five-match ODI series (starting Sept. 7).
| Date | Venue | Match | Result |
| Sept. 29, 2023 | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | South Africa vs Afghanistan | Match abandoned without a ball bowled |
| Oct. 2, 2023 | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | South Africa vs New Zealand |
Afghanistan
Afghanistan are another side who will compete in the Asia Cup, after which they will play two important warm-up matches against South Africa and Sri Lanka.
| Date | Venue | Match | Result |
| Sept. 29, 2023 | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Match abandoned without a ball bowled |
| Oct. 3, 2023 | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | Afghanistan v Sri Lanka |
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka earned a spot through the World Cup qualifiers and will hope to keep the winning momentum going in warm-up matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan. They too start with the Asia Cup before the tournament.
| Date | Venue | Match | Result |
| Sept. 29, 2023 | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | Bangladesh won by 7 wickets |
| Oct. 3, 2023 | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan |
Bangladesh
Soon after the Asia Cup ends, Bangladesh will play a three-match ODI series against New Zealand (starting Sept. 21) and then face official warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and England.
| Date | Venue | Match | Result |
| Sept. 29, 2023 | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka | Bangladesh won by 7 wickets |
| Oct. 2, 2023 | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | Bangladesh vs England |
England
The defending champions have a busy build-up schedule which takes in an ODI series against New Zealand (Sept 8-15) and three matches against Ireland (Sept. 20-26). They will then look to start off strong with their official warm-up matches against India and Bangladesh.
| Date | Venue | Match | Result |
| Sept. 30, 2023 | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | England vs India | |
| Oct. 2, 2023 | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | England vs Bangladesh |
Netherlands
The Netherlands' warm-up matches against Australia and India will be the ultimate practice games for the underdogs, who are participating in the World Cup after 12 years absence.
| Date | Venue | Match | Result |
| Sept. 30, 2023 | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | Netherlands vs Australia | |
| Oct. 3, 2023 | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | Netherlands vs India |
Australia
Australia will hope to gain some momentum heading into the tournament, and have tough tests along the way. After ODI series against South Africa (Sept. 7-17) and India (Sept 22-27) they face official warm-up matches against the Netherlands and Pakistan.
| Date | Venue | Match | Result |
| Sept. 30, 2023 | Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram | Australia vs Netherlands | |
| Oct. 3, 2023 | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | Australia vs Pakistan |
Pakistan
Pakistan will have high hopes of winning the Asia Cup as part of their preparation, and then face warm-up matches with two exciting encounters against New Zealand and Australia.
| Date | Venue | Match | Result |
| Sept. 29, 2023 | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | Pakistan vs New Zealand | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
| Oct. 3, 2023 | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | Pakistan vs Australia |
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Predictions, betting and who will win?
The hosts, India, look like the favourites to lift the trophy with the home crowd potentially playing an important role. Under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, India will hope to bring the World Cup home after 12 years.
Defending champions England will want to keep the ODI World Cup trophy and reclaim their title, and with the return of Ben Stokes their team looks ready to fight.
Australia are on a hot winning streak right now. Under the able captaincy of Pat Cummins, the men from Down Under have managed to win the World Test Championship in 2023 and retained the Ashes too. It won't be a surprise if they win the ODI World Cup to add to that haul.
Latest odds to win Cricket World Cup 2023, as of August 2023.
| Team | India Odds (Dafabet) | Australia Odds (Unibet) | UK Odds (BetOnSports) |
| India | 3.40 | 3.30 | 9/4 |
| England | 4.25 | 4.25 | 3/1 |
| Australia | 5.50 | 5.00 | 9/2 |
| Pakistan | 8.00 | 7.50 | 13/2 |
| New Zealand | 11.00 | 10.00 | 8/1 |
| South Africa | 12.00 | 11.00 | 9/1 |
| Bangladesh | 34.00 | 19.00 | 33/1 |
| Sri Lanka | 34.00 | 26.00 | 40/1 |
| Afghanistan | 51.00 | 51.00 | 50/1 |
| Netherlands | 501.00 | 501.00 | 300/1 |
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