Cricket http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 Plans To Revive One Day Cricket
Cricket Australia has come with some interesting proposals, inspired from baseball, in hopes to revive the one day format. The changes, if accepted by the board will be tried out in the domestic competition next summer. One Day International is facing serious competition from the fairly new and attractive T20 and the traditional Tests. Even though, attendance at Australia’s ODI’s is still healthy, figures have dropped and Cricket Australia feels a revival is necessary. It is also believed that if the changes are implemented and turn out to be a success, the format may be adopted for the 2015 World Cup.
The main changes suggested were a reduction to 40 overs a side, which would be split into 20 over innings and 10 wickets for each side. Cricket Australia also proposed that a batsman dismissed in the first innings, could be used in the second innings. Bowling teams will be given the freedom to use four bowlers, without any restrictions. The bouncers between shoulder and head height will be allowed two, one from before in one over, with more flexibility on leg side wides. Last but not least, to balance out the changes in batting and bowling, two fielders will be allowed outside the inner fielding circle, with a maximum of four during six to 20.
“One-day cricket is not in massive decline, but it is in slight decline and we need to do something to prevent a massive decline. This plan is not signed off but it has been developed from 1200 surveys and six focus groups in Sydney and Melbourne. People tell us they love one-day cricket, but that there is an opportunity to improve it.” Cricket Australia's marketing manager Julian Dunne told reporters.
Cricket Australia presented the list of proposals after careful consultation with fans, players and officials, hoping the new format will provide a more exciting format. Moreover with the approval of the changes, they will be made available in time for the 2015 World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by Australia and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754. A research conducted by Cricket Australia showed that fans were likely to turn away from any cricket match if they could predict the outcome, which is the case in most cricket matches. If these changes are implemented, the format in question would become more unpredictable and attract more audience.
Cricket Australia is set to reach a decision in mid August, after carefully reviewing the propositions, keeping in mind that this will change the game forever. In the meantime, the Australian cricket team, which is currently playing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in a Test series on a tour of England, will be briefed on the changes, possibly before they take on England at the Ashes. It is essential to test the new format, and the domestic matches provide an excellent platform for that, even though the matches in December will continue with the 50 overs, the new rules will be applied. Cricket Australia is eager to test and implement the changes; they do not in any way want to hamper the Australians chances of winning their fourth World Cup.
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