Future of one-dayers hangs in a balance

New Delhi

Sept. 17: While the Champions Trophy continues to remain a big-ticket event for the International Cricket Council that can pull both fans and advertisers in droves, the game’s shifting landscape from ODIs to Twenty20 has started a debate the world body isn’t too pleased with.
By the ICC’s own admission, this edition beginning next Tuesday could be the final one, having faced a lot pressure from other national cricket boards questioning its relevance.
Salvaging what it can of the ODIs’ declining popularity is the least the ICC hopes to achieve. “We are putting all our money on it. The one-day format has certainly taken a bit of a hit with the England board scrapping its domestic 50-over tournament and the South Africans mulling the same. We have tweaked the Champions Trophy format to make it shorter and sharper. The event’s success will give us an idea over which way to move ahead as far ODIs are concerned,” said ICC commercial general manager Campbell Jamieson at the sidelines of an event here on Thursday.
The ICC is considering a trial of splitting the one-day matches into two innings of 25 overs for each team — an idea mooted by Sachin Tendulkar. However, the final decision will be only be taken when the cricket committee gets together next May.
Till then, experts feel, the format should not be tinkered with. “The fate of ODIs hangs in the balance, but we should give it a year or so and then take a decision. It has been hugely successful concept and to change it, the ICC has to give it a lot of thought. When you plan to alter such a successful product, you have to be careful,” said former India middle-order star Sanjay Manjrekar.
“The coming few days will give a fantastic opportunity to the administrators to prove that the shorter version of the game can survive,” he added.
Ex-Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram reckoned that splitting ODIs into four innings would not go down well with cricketers. “Despite the perception, most cricketers like playing in ODIs more than T20 since it involves more skill. If the format has to change, the ICC should try it at the club or domestic level and see how it goes before trying to implement it at the international level. Else, it could do more harm than good,” said Akram.
Source::DECCAN CHRONICLE