Dave Richardson, chief executive of the International Cricket Council, insists the decision to reduce the World Cup to 10 teams is right for the game.
This year's tournament featured 14 sides, with associate nations Ireland, Scotland, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates given the chance to compete alongside the 10 full members.
But despite widespread opposition - not least from Irish officials and players, who made their disgust clear throughout the 2015 edition - the ICC is pressing ahead with its plans.
The MCC world cricket committee met this week and declared the new format would act as a "handbrake for the development of the sport" and advised a 12-team version, but Richardson rejects that claim.
"The World Cup should be the flagship of the ODI game, the best teams in the world," he told Test Match Special at Lord's.
"If you have 16 teams capable of playing in the World Cup you don't want all 16 to qualify. If only the 10 top ones go there I think it's quite special.
"(Previously) we had no proper pathway for associate members to qualify - the 10 full members made it automatically then the associates fought it out in a qualifying tournament.
"Now we've made the decision to include the top associates in the ODI rankings, Ireland and Afghanistan are in the FTP (future tours programme), and from 2015 to 2019 that gives them the chance to qualify by rights by ranking.
"Ireland are a good side, they've proved that, and I would be surprised if they don't make the World Cup, even with 10 teams."
Richardson also responded the news that Cricket Australia will host the first ever day/night Test against New Zealand in November.
He admitted there would be some uncertainty from players about floodlit Test matches with a pink ball, but stressed the financial imperatives.
"I think all players will be sceptical...it might be a bit of a leap of faith," he admitted. "If you're playing a team with fast bowlers in the twilight period I would probably be a bit nervous too. But it is professional sport and to function it needs revenues.
"One of the reasons for playing cricket at that time of evening is prime time TV, advertisers at that time pay more money, there's more money for rights...yes there's a commercial aspect to playing at that time.
"What's the point of holding a concert at the Opera House if everybody's at work? It will be deemed a success if it creates excitement, people are inspired and they come and watch."
