Combinatorics in the Cricket World Cup Group Stages

2019 Edition

10 teams, playing 2 matches each
10 choose 2 as order is not important
=
10! / 2! * 8!
=
10.9 / 2
= 45 games in total in the Group Stage

Phew a fair wack!

Back in 2007

2 groups of 7 teams
2 * 7 choose 2
=
2 * (7! / 2! * 5!)
=
2 * (7.6 / 2)
=
42 games in total in the Group Stage

21 games per Pool

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So less games with more teams. 


An interesting analysis! 

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Further analysis can also be carried out by breaking the numbers down using Greatest Common Divisors or GCDs.

So here's an application of Number Theory!