7 changes which can make ODI cricket more interesting

ODIs are in the need of a revamp due to the popularity of T20s

With the advent of T20 cricket, the popularity of One Day International cricket has taken a hit. Most people prefer to watch a short action filled three and half hour T20 extravaganza over a 100-over ODI, which invariably sees unenterprising cricket in the middle overs.

In this scenario, ODI cricket needs certain changes to keep it alive. Let us have a look at few possible changes which can revive the ODI game and bring back its lost glory days again.

The biggest problem that has always plagued ODIs is that it has always been too batsman centric. Cricket is always at its best when there is a balance between the bat and the ball.

What has happened in recent years is that pitches for ODI matches have become flat, the rules of the ODI game have become even more batsman friendly. Also, most people find the game a tad too long, especially the middle part of both innings’ become too predictable.

Suggestions:

1. I would suggest shortening the game to 40-overs a side. This would mean the long and tedious middle part of the innings is shortened. The game would have a mandatory power play in the first 12 overs, followed by bowling and batting power plays of four overs each to be taken by the 32nd over.

It would ensure that there is no dull moment in the middle period. Often in a regular 50 over game, the overs 16 to 35 produce insipid cricket, with the batting side looking to saving wickets and the bowling side looking to save runs. This produces a complete dud for spectators.

2. Regarding the fielding restrictions, I would suggest having the rule of allowing three fielders outside the 30 yard circle in the first mandatory power play and four fielders in the batting and bowling power plays. Apart from the powerplays, a maximum of five fielders should be allowed outside the ring. These changes would provide the bowling team with more options to defend.

3. Another impact change I would make is to ensure more sporting pitches for ODI matches. This ensures that bowlers have a chance to make an impact and there is an even battle between the bat and the ball. It also provides for a better viewing than seeing batsmen smack bowlers all over the park.

If we look at the best matches in the history of ODI cricket, people remember the 1999 World Cup semifinal between Australia and South Africa, the 1992 World Cup final between Pakistan and England and similar matches. These matches were played on pitches that helped the quicks and the spinners alike, and also provided good batting spectacles.

4. To bring the bowlers more into the game, I would increase the maximum quota for one of the bowlers to 15 overs, while others would bowl a maximum of eight overs each. This would mean that if a top bowler is having a great day, then the public can see more of him, and he can impact the game in a bigger way. Also it would mean teams won’t have to rely heavily on a fifth bowler, which often leads to lesser guys turning over their arms.

It often leads to boring cricket of a diminished quality. If we look at ODI cricket history, few bowlers have impacted the game in a manner as top batsmen have. Expanding the quota for one of the bowlers to 15 overs would enable the public to see more game changing efforts from the top bowlers, and that will invariably mean better cricket.

5. Another change I would make is to have one new ball only, as two new balls means the scope of reverse swing is reduced. This eliminates one art of cricket from the limited overs game.

So I would suggest going back to one new ball again. Only then we would be able to see another Wasim Akram producing great reverse swing to turn around a big game. Or a Waqar Younis swinging it 90 degrees to crush batsmen’s toes.

6. I would also suggest strictly imposing time limits on captains and teams so that the game doesn’t slow down unnecessarily. The 40 overs should be completed in a duration of 2 hours 50 minutes followed by a gap of 30 minutes before the next innings. This way the match would complete in around six hours.

Teams which default on the time limits should be fined with less overs to chase the total, as monetary fines have never worked in improving things. We have already seen many instances in the last few years where captains have been fined a certain percentage of the match fee. But this hasn’t deterred teams from time violations.

7. Another important change that boards need to make is to make ticket prices affordable for common public. Already we have seen cricket viewing public reduce substantially over the last decade. Even for teams like India and Australia, most of their ODI matches see empty stands and much reduced public interest.

Reducing prices may help bringing back more to the grounds. Apart from that, the facilities at the cricket grounds need to be improved substantially. Despite the fact that BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world, facilities at most cricket grounds in India aren’t spectator friendly. The food available inside the stadium is mediocre, the seating facilities uncomfortable barring a select few high priced ones. All these need to be improved to bring new life back into live cricket viewing.

These changes would speed up the game, bring the bowlers more into action and bring about a level playing field for all. The spectator interest would surely improve as people would like to see a more even battle between bat and ball.

In the interest of the ODI game’s health, it is high time that such measures are taken to prevent the game from sliding further away from public interest and eventually into oblivion.