4 controversial moments that shook cricket to its core

#1 World Series Cricket

In my opinion, the most controversial moment in cricket history is the creation of World Series Cricket. Nothing has had a bigger impact on the cricketing landscape. Whites to colors, red balls to white balls, unlimited overs to 50 overs, music, crowds, etc., World Series Cricket had it all.

In 1977, a TV executive for channel 9, Kerry Packer saw an opportunity. International cricketers were fed up with their low pay and poor playing conditions. Combine this with dwindling Test Match crowds and lowering interest in Australia’s summer game, Packer felt something needed to change.

Packer discreetly started to talk to players from around the world. He offered them $30,000 for 3 months of their time to play in a new ‘rebel’ league he was organizing. No cricketer had ever seen this sort of money before, so the majority jumped on board right away. Packer was designing a new country vs country series. The games would be shorter and played during the evenings to boost crowd numbers and television ratings. Because of playing at night, white balls and colored clothing were introduced to cricket, as was the 50-over a side format that we know and love still today.

Things weren’t smooth sailing originally for Packer. Because traditional cricket grounds didn’t have lights, World Series cricket was forced to be played on Australian Football ovals and drop-in pitches. Despite this, however, within 2 years the Australian World Series team was viewed as more of an Australian team than their actual Test team.

Eventually, the 50 over format was introduced to sanctioned ICC cricket, and the first limited overs World Cup was played. Despite the controversy at the time, if it wasn’t for the introduction of World Series Cricket who knows what state the health of the game would be in today.