The future of ODI cricket

[mugatiya]

The future of ODI cricket

Two days after the ODI World Cup final, possible discussions around the future of the 50-overs format are on the cards. There will be at least two boards pushing for the revival of the recently-scrapped 13-team ODI Super League. With a new qualification pathway already approved for a 14-team 2027 men's ODI World Cup, the Super League, if it does return, could only do so from 2028.

Zimbabwe - co-hosts of the 2027 ODI World Cup along with South Africa and Namibia - are advocating for an analysis to be conducted over the current World Cup to gauge its global popularity.

"This World Cup came at the same time as the rugby World Cup, so it would be a good opportunity to compare the audience and measure our global impact as a sport," Zimbabwe Cricket chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani said.

"It felt like the Rugby World Cup was more popular, especially in countries where both sports are popular. I don't think the problem is with the ODI format... there aren't enough teams in the World Cup, even 14 isn't enough. And there won't be context without the Super League.

"We need ODI cricket, we can't afford to not have it. It is still a money-maker for us and many countries."

[mugatiya]

Apart from the SLC discussions today, this is the one I am keeping a close eye on.

I support restoring the super league and the ICC figuring out how to promote the super league so fans are aware of what's at stake.

The WTC is a good example where most people are aware of the context / big picture of each series and where the ICC promoted it well. I don't think that was the case with the super league outside of very keen fans who knew it was a thing.

[mugatiya]

Outside of that, I think the interest in ODI's outside of cup tournaments is waning and IMHO a problem for the ICC.

Bi-lateral ODI's without any context really feels superfluous in the FTP in my book.

[mugatiya]

They are already considering swapping the CT to a T20I comp.. so I really don't know what place ODI's has outside of cup competitions.

[stillwill]

Outside of ICC tournaments, 50 and Test are boring asf. Test is only fun if they make 3.5-4 day pitches. Why the fk would anyone follow a match for whole 5 days only for the match to end with no results ?

To make 50 overs interesting, ICC can come up with Test championship a like 2 year season.
Every team will play each other in 2, 3 match series, one at home and one away. The top 2 teams play a 3 match series at neutral venue or venue of the team that ended at #1 spot. If 3 match series at home and away is too much, they can do 2 match series.

I.E
SL will face 9 other test members twice, one at home, one at their venue. 27 matches at home and 27 matches away if it is a 3 match series. 18 matches at home and 18 matches away if it is a 2 match series. I think 2 match series is fine.

[mugatiya]

I’m pretty confident that Tests are pretty safe given that India and Kohli made a huge effort to lift its profile outside of Eng and Aus. And thankfully ICC hasn’t devised any mechanics to tinker with the format other than random topics around 4 days Tests.

Tests are still the primary format of the sport. And its importance has somehow remained. Thank god. Only savages and heathens are incapable of appreciating the format. Sorry SW.

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What you’re describing is what the Super League is/was for ODIs . Just acts as the mechanism for qualifying for the WC. Which is the right way to go about it.

[Regista]

What about changing the ODI format altogether? I think Belswilf posted a similar idea.

- Two - 25 over innings for each team.
- Wickets are retained between innings.
- If a team is all out within 25 overs, they won't get a 2nd innings.
- Teams can declare & impose follow ons like in Tests

I think this would make it fairer and more strategic. Would make the game very interesting.

[BELSWILF]

(11-21-2023, 12:41 PM)Regista Wrote:  What about changing the ODI format altogether? I think Belswilf posted a similar idea.

- Two - 25 over innings for each team.
- Wickets are retained between innings.
- If a team is all out within 25 overs, they won't get a 2nd innings.
- Teams can declare & impose follow ons like in Tests

I think this would make it fairer and more strategic. Would make the game very interesting.

Very creative, Regista! I like your idea.

[BELSWILF]

(11-21-2023, 11:48 AM)stillwill Wrote:  Outside of ICC tournaments, 50 and Test are boring asf. Test is only fun if they make 3.5-4 day pitches. Why the fk would anyone follow a match for whole 5 days only for the match to end with no results ?

Draw is also a result, brother!
You have no idea of India-Pakistan test matches played those days (Imran Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Miandad, Wasim Bari, Safraz Nawaz - Pakistan, and Gavaskar, Ameranath, Gundappa Wiswanath, Venkatragavan, Bedi, Chandrasekar for India), they lasted 5 days, on very dry surfaces, each team was scoring like 400 to 500 runs and ended up in draws. People those days still loved them.
As you may have seen from recent videos, the original ODI WC was played for 60 overs in England. That was what the cricket is all about - that longevity gave the two teams to try and make their strategies worked. It was like a chess game, haven't you heard of chess games played between Grand Masters end up in draws?

Unfortunately, the current T20 format has changed that mindset. Very sad! The younger generation seems to have no clue of what the real cricket is all about.

[Regista]

(11-21-2023, 09:18 PM)BELSWILF Wrote:  

(11-21-2023, 12:41 PM)Regista Wrote:  What about changing the ODI format altogether? I think Belswilf posted a similar idea.

- Two - 25 over innings for each team.
- Wickets are retained between innings.
- If a team is all out within 25 overs, they won't get a 2nd innings.
- Teams can declare & impose follow ons like in Tests

I think this would make it fairer and more strategic. Would make the game very interesting.

Very creative, Regista!  I like your idea.