One-day game must respond, says Ravi Shastri

[suraj]

INDIAN Premier League heavyweight Ravi Shastri believes the raging success of Twenty20 will mean one-day cricket will have to be remodelled. Shastri, a key figure in organising the league that has signed about a dozen of Australia's top players, said the bite-sized format is no passing fad. "No question about it, we have to go with the times," Shastri said. "We have to keep the popularity of the game going, get new people interested in the game. "Having said that, for all the people who play the game, Test cricket will be the real stuff." While Test cricket's future appears assured, the same cannot be said about the 50-over game which has looked tired in recent years. Last year's World Cup lacked sparkle and interest, while the inaugural Twenty20 championship in South Africa was a success. Former Indian captain Shastri joined Shane Warne in claiming the 50-overs format may have to be rejigged. "I think Twenty20 will eat into 50-50, no doubt about that," Shastri said. "It is just a question of striking the right balance. "You might not have 50-50, you might have 40-40. It gets the game over a little quicker." The IPL has offered the world's best players a staggering amount of money to take part in the 44-day tournament that begins on April 18. Australia's leading players have signed letters of intent, but have yet to commit to full playing contracts, which could reap about $500,000 by the time the eight franchises finish their bidding. The Australians had been expected to miss the next two years of competition because of international commitments, but that could change if the March-April tour of Pakistan is scrapped. Shastri said he expected the likes of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds to play -- however briefly - if the Pakistan series was axed. "If they don't go (to Pakistan), there is no reason why they shouldn't be playing," he said. Shastri said the IPL, which is officially sanctioned by the International Cricket Council, posed no threat to international cricket. "It is just 44 days of cricket. How is that going to ruin the game?" Shastri said. "It's in the months of April and May. "Barring a couple of countries, there is no cricket happening in the rest of the world, so what's the problem?" Shastri said the competition would enliven India's domestic structure. "Currently, under the BCCI, only 15 players can travel the world and play for their country," Shastri said. "Here the opportunities will be plenty for the franchises and (financially) it will be very good, and not just for the players but other people wanting to get involved with the game as well. "It opens a lot of avenues for physios, coaches, managers." Source: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...-11088,00.html

[jai_brooklyn]

I agree. I don't know how you can sustain three varieties of the game. One has to go and it looks like it will be the one-day format. Thanks for the memories. Time to move on.

[msb1991]

I think Pro 40 is the perfect replacement for 50 over cricket. 40 over cricket works well in England, with teams going often at 6-7 runs per over. Crowds want to see action every ball and with run rates nearing 7 runs per over, that happens in English Pro 40.