A 30-over format to save the ODI game? - Opinion
Numerous proposals such as day and night Test matches, Pink balls, sticky wickets and more indoor cricket facilities have come to the fore in recent times. Innovation has often bordered with the incredulous ever since http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kerry-Francis-Bullmore-Packer-c71015 managed to give birth to
World Series Cricket in the late 1970s. The concept was considered to be equivalent to a ‘circus’ by conformists who considered innovation and invention as unacceptable. Then the world saw colored clothing, inner circles, power plays and flood lights which
revolutionized the very concept of the gentleman’s game. With the advent of T20 cricket however, the world confronts a situation where cricket fans might consider Packer’s package to be too outdated.
In terms of entertainment value, the fifty over format has undoubtedly witnessed its sell out date in light of the fast paced nature of the T20 format. Ever since the inaugural T20 world cup of 2007 in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, T20s have blossomed in every nook and
corner of the planet. The fifty over game which can be occasionally attractive has encountered claims of being redressed so that it suits the modern viewer.
Cricket’s distinction from Baseball stems from the fact that parity must exist between the bat and the ball. Even players such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 went on to discard the idea of the fifty over format prevailing in modern times, by claiming that he
could hardly watch it and it is way too long. In light of this, a possible prospect for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 would be to allow a new format to the game which would provide plenty of entertainment and at the same time, strike a balance between the bat and the ball. That
prospect could be the 30-over format.
Despite being largely unheard of, the 30-over format could allow players to explore three important stages of the game. The first ten overs for the batting side would be to concentrate hard and at the same time look to score runs as they see off the new
ball. Those first ten overs would also help the bowlers gain significant purchase off of the wicket as the ball would be new and could deviate off the seam if needed. The next ten would be more about maneuvering the ball into the gaps and taking singles as
the spinners and medium pacers come into play. Then comes the onslaught as the last ten would then help players get into T20 mode and provide the crowd with plenty of entertainment. Despite its pocket sized nature, the 30-over format seems to be the finest
way of ensuring that Kerry Packer’s ODI package is not considered to be outdated, and is kept intact.
Yet there will always be arguments against the 30-over format as it may negate various dimensions of the game. Time and time again, new innovations to instill a bit of venom into the fifty over game have been implemented. Concepts such as the batting and
bowling Power plays would thus, become immaterial. This is a dangerous overtone, given the nature in which the fifty over game has evolved, with tumbling wickets, extravagant stroke play and breath taking catches being a feature of the power plays. Thus, to
implement a format which sidelines these integral facets of the fifty over game would not go without considerable criticism and debate. Scores of 300 plus have become a regularity in the game of cricket and it is plausible to assume that not many would want
to do away with what they have in hand.
Yet in times when innovation, ideas and inventions are given due consideration, the 30-over experiment is one of many ideas for instilling life into a format that has undergone a revolution since the late 1970s.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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