Players’ criticism set aside; Cricket Australia to introduce one-day split innings format
Cricket Australia, while trying to cope with the decreasing popularity of ODIs, has decided to introduce split-innings format in One Day Internationals for its upcoming domestic season. However, it seems that the feedback from Australian players has been blatantly ignored in taking this decision.
In addition to two innings for each team, this new format will have a number of other features such as abolition of power plays, super strikers and allowance of two bouncers. The introduction of 45-over format in domestic season means that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 who would have removed the 50-over matches from their domestic seasons.
The main purpose of introducing split-innings format is to replicate the entertainment factor of T20s into ODIs. It is being thought that this new format will make ODIs more dynamic and competitive. However, the Australian players are apparently not pleased with C.A.’s decision. Ricky Ponting, who as captain led Australia towards two World Cup victories, has openly criticized the split-innings format. Similarly, Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), which carried out a survey to ascertain the popularity of new format among the Australian cricket fraternity, revealed that 78% of its members rejected this idea. ACA’s chief executive Paul Marsh, has also criticised the C.A. terming its decision as ‘dictatorial’ and accusing it of not taking the players on board. He told reporters that “For people who play and know the game better than anyone, this process has proved difficult to comprehend and players are very disappointed.
Despite strong criticism, C.A. decided to go through with the changes and consequently the first match under new format will be played at Gabba between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tasmania-c854 on 6th October. Cricket Australia's chief executive James Sutherland has tried to tone down the criticism from players by saying that all stakeholders were taken into confidence before making the proposal final. He told reporters that “In talking to the stakeholders, the ultimate thing was that the tournament should be played over the course of a whole year. To do a proper trial and to ensure the public fully understands the way it is played. There is no doubt that there are issues relating to individual players and World Cup preparations.”
The biggest losers of C.A.’s ruling will be those players who won’t feature in the seven-match Australia-England ODI series in January and February next year. In such a scenario, if some of these non-featuring players are selected for World Cup to be held in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 the same year, they could be left severely handicapped due to their limited ODI’s exposure. In trying to deal with this issue, Cricket Australia's deputy Chief Michael Brown has proposed the option of “possibles versus probables” matches so that match practice for such players can be ensured before the World Cup begins. He told reporters that “I'll work with the selectors to determine whether they want some particular players e.g. Brett Lee or Callum Ferguson, or people coming back from injury. If that's the case then we'll put on private matches to give them a chance to perform at optimum level for the World Cup.”
It seems difficult to tell whether the new format will gain popularity among the Australian public or not. But despite criticism there are also a whole lot of people out there who feel optimistic about the idea.
Tags: