ICC introduces changes in ODI format – No runners, Powerplays only between 16 and 40 overs – Cricket News Update
The International Cricket Council (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625) has passed the draft for some crucial changes in the structure of 50-over games, in order to keep the format alive and make it more interesting for the cricket lovers.
The changes include abolition of runners and a rule allowing the use of powerplays only between overs 16 to 40.
The council finalised these amendments during its annual meeting at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hong-Kong-c2919. The meeting was attended by delegates from all the member boards and cricket experts from all over the world.
The changes in the ODI format were recommended by the ICC’s Executive Committee during its meeting last month.
Talking to the media, the ICC Chief Executive, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Haroon-Lorgat-c61719, said, “Even though the success of 50-over cricket played during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was universally acknowledged, the Chief Executive Committee (CEC) rightly supported the enhancements
recommended by the ICC Cricket Committee.”
As per the new rules, no player will be allowed to use any runner during his innings whether he is fit to run or not. It was noticed on some occasions in the past that some players were misusing the facility of runners.
The adoption of batting powerplays has been confined in between 16 to 40 overs. This will help the batsmen to bat responsibly in opening and death overs.
The purpose of introducing these changes is to avert the collapse of the 50-over game and keep it intact as a potential competitor of the T20 format.
With the arrival and constantly rising popularity of the shortest version of the game, the viewership and worth of the ODI cricket is rapidly declining and some analysts fear that the format may die a natural death.
However, Lorgat claimed before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 that the ODI would never die, since the 50-over showpiece event was there to protect it.
The new changes in ODI cricket will be applicable after the approval of ICC’s Executive Board.
The modified ODI format is being hailed by cricket experts and fans alike. However, there are some dissenting voices as well.
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