Cricket http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 (CA) does not see ODI cricket under threat – Cricket News Update
Cricket Australia (CA) spokesman, Peter Young, has said the board does not agree with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754.
The legendary wicketkeeper/batsman has recently expressed that the 50-over format has lost the interest of the masses all around the world, urging the broadcasters to focus more on T20s and Tests, the other two versions of the global sport.
Gilchrist is of the opinion that T20 cricket is now the most popular form of the game, generating lots of revenue for the ICC and cricket boards all around the world.
“Twenty20, let's face it, is the revenue stream that keeps the longer version alive,” said the great wicketkeeper/batsman. “I suspect that one-day cricket may be obsolete in about three years' time.”
However, the CA does not share the same opinion as Young said that the 50-over World Cup is one of the major sporting tournaments of the globe, with a sizeable fan following.
“The World Cup is the world's fourth-biggest sporting event. It's got a viewing audience of a billion people,” he told reporters.
The former Aussie cricketer claimed that the people of Australia are losing interest in the ODI format but Young has other views about the situation.
The CA spokesperson added, “Our own research shows when you measure the affection of cricket with the Australian public that ODI cricket has still got a lot of life left in its legs.”
There is no doubt about the fact that T20 is gradually becoming the most sought after version of the game and with no threats to Test cricket at the moment, the 50-over format is likely to suffer. However, taking into account the huge success of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the future of ODIs does not appear to be in danger.
The ICC however, needs to curtail the influence of different franchise leagues around the world, if it wants to save international cricket.
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