Is the future of 50-over cricket in jeopardy?

A lot has been said and written about the 50-over format over the last 3 to 4 months. Since its introduction into the game four decades ago, it has been a source of much thrill & excitement to fans across the globe. However, since the arrival of the newest and the shortest form of the game, the 20-20, questions have begun getting raised, over the viability of a 50-over match.

Now why is the T-20 constantly threatening the 50-over format?
Put simply, it is a short, rapid-fire format, aimed at action-packed entertainment in three hours, compared to the eight hours of a 50-over match.
It is crash, boom, bang from the word go, much to delight of the crowd. The format is so riveting and gripping that it keeps the spectators on the edges of their seats throughout the game.

Not to say that a 50-over match is not entertaining enough. Maybe, the format being a little bit protracted and time-consuming might be what makes the outlook of fans towards it a little assorted.

Apart from ardent devotees of the game, the majority of the crowd goes to the stadium wanting to watch a Pietersen reverse sweep or a Dilshan dilli-scoop in preference to a more orthodox stroke play. A quick, breath-taking knock of 30 or a 40 from a Sehwag or a Gilchrist is more captivating for a spectator than a laborious innings of 80 or 100 made by a Dravid or a Kallis in the most grueling conditions. Instant gratification, sustained over a few hours, if you like.

A classic example is of the recently concluded Champions Trophy in South Africa where the organizers failed to attract crowds. Was it largely due to the premature exit of India and more importantly the home team? One can only speculate!
Now with that being said, the stadiums were not even half full during the semi-finals and the final stage. It’s a shame that the crowd didn’t turn up; after all, here was a top Cricket match being played between top international favorites.

So where is the 50-over cricket match heading? Is time running short for the 50 over format?
This is a serious situation for the ICC to mull over.
The challenge now for the ICC is to safeguard one day international cricket before things get out of hand. Yes, the super-sub was introduced in to the game without any great success and the power-plays are not making any significant impact, so to say. Already, there have been mixed reactions from the current and ex-players, coming out with different interesting theories.
Talks about the game being curtailed to 40 overs per side have been discussed. Recently, Sachin Tendulkar even suggested splitting each match into four innings, to add an element of uncertainty. The ICC might need to think long and hard to come up with something equally crowd-pulling and entertaining in order to preserve the 50-over format.

As of today the question in everybody’s mind is, will the 50-over format hold its own?
Will we see sweeping changes made to the game, tailor-made for excitement?
Only time will tell.

India –Australia One day series preview

In about a week’s time cricket fans all over the world will be looking forward to one of the most anticipated one day series between two cricketing giants India and Australia.

The focus will shift from the ongoing Champions League 20-20 to one of the best bilateral series of this year if not the best.

As expected the mind games have already begun by Brett Lee predicting a 7-0 whitewash. The Aussies are masters at the mind games which they more often than not back it up with a good performance on the field. When the Aussies last toured India for the One day Internationals they won the series quite comprehensively 5-2. Things now are a lot different from then, the Aussies have lost some of their world class performers due to retirement and the likes of Clarke, Ferguson and Haddin are missing from their ranks due to injuries, but already few of their young cricketers are playing in India as a result getting acclimatized to the Indian conditions which will come in very handy in grueling Indian conditions. The current Aussie side has a nice blend of youth and experience.

On the other hand the home team will be trying to turn things around after their shambolic performance in the Champions Trophy. Comeback men Sehwag and Yuvraj will bolster the Indian batting, the bowling department which has been quite dismal over the past few months has to step up and rise to the occasion in order to be competitive. One thing is certain that the Indian team will have full support of the fans playing in their own backyard.

There’s a lot at stake for both the teams, the Indian team will be looking ahead to dethroning the Aussies from their top perch, on the other hand the Kangaroos who are fresh from a Champions Trophy win for the second consecutive time will be looking to tighten their grip on their No. 1 position which the Aussies firmly believe is theirs.