How the World Cup works

The ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean will be the biggest in the tournament's history with 16 teams - two more than in 2003 - taking part.

But if you thought it was a simple knockout then think again as the tournament involves two group stages and there are seedings to boot.

But help is at hand with our stage-by-stage guide...

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Group stage

The 16 teams have been divided into four groups of four and seeded according to their world rankings.

Group A: Australia (1), South Africa (5), Scotland (12), The Netherlands (16)
Group B: Sri Lanka (2), India (8), Bangladesh (11), Bermuda (15)
Group C: New Zealand (3), England (7), Kenya (10), Canada (14)
Group D: Pakistan (4), West Indies (6), Zimbabwe (9), Ireland (13)

Tiebreakers Team with the most wins Team with the higher net run-rate Team with the most wickets taken by balls bowled Winner of the game between two level teams Draw lots

Each team will play every other team in its group. They will get two points for a win, one point for a tie or no result and nought for a defeat.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the next phase - the Super 8s.

If any teams finish equal on points at the end of the group stages, a series of tiebreakers will be used in order, until one team emerges superior (see right).

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Super 8s

There will be six matches in the Super 8s, with each team playing each other, except for the one team they have already played in the group stage.

The points from that group stage match will be carried forward to their Super 8s tally.

The top four teams from the Super 8s will progress to the semi-finals and for any tiebreakers the criteria listed in the group stage above will be used.

The super 8s seeding is indicative-based on the ranked top two teams from group stage qualifying.

If these two teams qualify they will be seeded in position one or two as specified regardless of whether they finish first or second in their group.

For example, if South Africa win Group A and Australia come second, for the purposes of the Super 8s, South Africa will still be A2 and Australia will be A1.

If, for example, Scotland qualify instead of Australia, Scotland will become A1.

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Semi-finals

The team who finished first in the Super 8s will play the team which finished fourth. Second will play third.

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The weather

There is a reserve day for every match at the World Cup.

Any incomplete matches will be continued the next day from where they left off, a new game will not be started.

Every effort will be made to complete the match on the scheduled day with any necessary reduction in overs taking place.

Only if the minimum number of overs (20 per side) cannot be bowled on the scheduled day will the match be completed on the reserve day.