How to rescue ODI cricket? A 5-point program for ICC to save the format and make it prosper

#3 Discontinuation of T20Is

T20 cricket is dominating the cricket world. However, that is mainly through the leagues that have mushroomed in all major cricketing nations. In this scenario, the T20Is seem utterly useless. Hence, it would be good to get rid of them altogether.

T20Is clutter an already overstuffed ICC calendar and they serve no purpose. Cricket fans get their yearly dose of T20 cricket featuring top stars through the leagues.

It may be argued that if there is no T20I cricket, how will teams prepare for the T20 World Cup. The fact is that T20 is a very volatile and inconsistent form of the game. No amount of preparation guarantees success. The form of a team going in to a tournament is completely irrelevant. The individual players get enough exposure and practice through the leagues.

The removal of T20Is would free up space for one-day internationals and add some novelty factor to 50-over cricket. Currently, ODI and T20I series are seen as a collective bunch of white-ball cricket and it seems excessive. Removing the T20Is would make it more appealing.

#4 Stop tinkering with ODI format

For the longest time, the ICC has obsessed over the supposed dullness of ODI cricket. They have assumed that the game becomes very uneventful during overs 15-40 of an innings. Hence, there have been continual rule changes to ‘spice up’ this perceived period of stagnation.

The introduction of ‘power-play’, ‘super-sub’, two new balls, all were done to make the game more ‘happening’ in the middle overs.

It’s time that cricket administrators show some intelligence and stop looking down upon these middle-overs. They are far from uneventful and are the reason why 50-over cricket has more substance than T20 cricket.

A team like West Indies can win two T20 World Cups thanks to their hitting prowess. But they struggle in the one-day international format because they don’t have batsmen who can build an innings. For that, you need genuine quality.

The middle overs are where a team builds its innings. These are also the overs which give teams a chance to resurrect themselves if they have a bad start. In fact, it is these overs that add great intrigue to the contest.

The batting side has to manage its scoring rate without losing wickets while the bowling team has to figure out the right combination of bowlers to ensure that they are not left without options at the death. This is the beauty of the game, not a liability.

To constantly vilify the middle overs is to blight the very essence of the game. ODI cricket is much more than a slogging contest. It should be allowed to remain that way.

#5 Sporting pitches

Fair pitches lead to exciting contests, like the 2019 World Cup final.

One of the greatest, if not the greatest, ODIs of all time was the 2019 World Cup final between England and New Zealand. What made that match so good was the sporting nature of the wicket. It had something for all types of performers – batsmen, pacers, spinners.

Unfortunately, over the last decade-and-a-half, 50-over matches have become massive run-fests, with bowlers being side-shows. Like Tests, ODIs are also best when bowlers have a fair chance of picking up wickets.

We have entered an era where scores of 300 seem very chaseable. If a scoring rate of 6-an-over becomes default, it means bowlers can merely contain, not dominate. This reduces the intensity of the contest.

An ideal 50-over contest is one where even a score of 250 is defendable. That has been very rarely the case with ODI cricket in recent times. The very definition of a good pitch has become highly skewed against the bowlers. There is an urgent and desperate need for a pushback.

To make ODI cricket more wholesome, like Test cricket, pitches need to give every type of player a chance to shine. This would ensure that quality players survive in the format, making it a product of higher value.

These five measures can help 50-over cricket. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list and other measures can be taken. However, there is need for urgent action and this five-point formula can sort out many of the problems plaguing this beautiful format of the game.