Cricket Update from the iSport Cricket Paddock: As most of us question, iSporter Aswath pens his thoughts with a similar stance; what's happening to the older Cricket formats? Is it time to say bye-bye to the 50 over format already? Read on.
What is going on these days in the 50 over format? Does it really attract a lot of audience in all parts of the world? Why is this happening? Some serious thinking needs to go into it to preserve this format. To do this, the ICC has tried different things. They tried a super sub, had 5 extra fielding restriction overs, now they have a batting powerplay and free hits are there in ODIs too. They are now even trying a split innings format in Australia [Read: Split ODI Format To Make It Survive]
Instead of inheriting some characteristics from the T20 format, and introducing new variations from time to time, why not change the way the tournaments are played? There are far too many bilateral series’ being played. Each of these ends up being a 5 or a 7 match series. Please spare a thought for the viewers. 5 to 7 games between the same two sides? No wonder the audience is dwindling. Even if there happens to be a third side participating, more often than not, it is either Zimbabwe or Bangladesh.
Where have all the good triangular and quadrangulars gone? [Read: Will The “Longest Version Of The Game” Bow Down?] There used to be a time in the late 90s when Sharjah used to play host to wonderful ODI tournaments. Three or four top teams used to contest in it. Who can forget the (India-Australia -New Zealand) series in April 1998, and many other tournaments like the CUB series between Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and West Indies?
ODI cricket needs more of these tournaments to bring back the audience and not like the one that is currently going on in Sri Lanka. Give me a break! The same three teams played a similar tournament in the very same place only sometime back. India and Sri Lanka have been playing every other day in the recent past and a certain fierce rivalry like the India vs Pakistan has lost a bit of its sheen thanks to a number of friendship series played since the World Cup in 2003.
It’s high time the ICC looked into this and the boards of the different countries came together to give us more gripping ODI cricket by playing more tournaments like the Titan Cup (India-Australia-South Africa) or the CUB series like in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This is not to ignore Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. They can compete in a seperate league and the top team can be given a chance to play in a triangular or a quadrangular involving top teams. Probably a two tier system can do some good. Whatever it takes, all the countries need to come together to preserve this wonderful format.
The changes are required more in the way tournaments are structured and not in the format itself.
Instead of inheriting some characteristics from the T20 format, and introducing new variations from time to time, why not change the way the tournaments are played? There are far too many bilateral series’ being played. Each of these ends up being a 5 or a 7 match series. Please spare a thought for the viewers. 5 to 7 games between the same two sides? No wonder the audience is dwindling. Even if there happens to be a third side participating, more often than not, it is either Zimbabwe or Bangladesh.
Where have all the good triangular and quadrangulars gone? [Read: Will The “Longest Version Of The Game” Bow Down?] There used to be a time in the late 90s when Sharjah used to play host to wonderful ODI tournaments. Three or four top teams used to contest in it. Who can forget the (India-Australia -New Zealand) series in April 1998, and many other tournaments like the CUB series between Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and West Indies?
ODI cricket needs more of these tournaments to bring back the audience and not like the one that is currently going on in Sri Lanka. Give me a break! The same three teams played a similar tournament in the very same place only sometime back. India and Sri Lanka have been playing every other day in the recent past and a certain fierce rivalry like the India vs Pakistan has lost a bit of its sheen thanks to a number of friendship series played since the World Cup in 2003.
It’s high time the ICC looked into this and the boards of the different countries came together to give us more gripping ODI cricket by playing more tournaments like the Titan Cup (India-Australia-South Africa) or the CUB series like in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This is not to ignore Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. They can compete in a seperate league and the top team can be given a chance to play in a triangular or a quadrangular involving top teams. Probably a two tier system can do some good. Whatever it takes, all the countries need to come together to preserve this wonderful format.
The changes are required more in the way tournaments are structured and not in the format itself.
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Comments (5)
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Kunal Shah
said:
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... Too many formats will populate the space. I think Tests should remain and then toss up between the T20 and ODI format! |
Jigar Mehta
said:
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... too many formats too many early retirements the way to go is 1st priority : tests 2nd priority: odi's ( they do test your mental and physical character) 3rd priority : t20 : use it as a tool for quick scoring in tests nd odi's nd it doesnt test any part of ur game strongly apart from how well u can slog!! & apart from that definitely for making quick money!!!!! |
Aswath B
said:
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... t20 is just entertainment; test cricket is the best format; tests skills to the fullest; odis needs some restoration; 3-4 teams in one tournament will make it good... |
a guest
said:
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... In Australian county, they are going to try what sachin had suggested. They are going to play ODI like tests. First innings for 20 overs each. Second innings for 25 over each. Each bowler can bowl max of 12 overs. There can be 12 fielders on the field. Let see if it can save the format. Let see how it goes. |
Aswath B
said:
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... its good that they are first trying this at domestic level...all experiments must be done this way before they try it at international level |
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