5 Things that have changed drastically in international cricket since the 1990s

The 1990s witnessed the rise of cricket like no other decade had ever seen. It was the generation in which many of the world’s greatest players - Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Brian Lara - made their mark in the game. The 90s was also a highly competitive decade in cricket, witnessing three different winners of the World Cup.

Those were the times in which scores of above 250 were considered match winning and fielding/fitness took a backseat. People used to throng the stadiums for even test matches and the popularity of the 50-over game was at an all-time high. However, in a span of just two decades the game has grown by leaps and bounds and has changed dramatically.

We take a look at 5 things that have undergone rapid change during the past twenty odd years.

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#1 State of West Indies cricket

West Indies was the team to beat in the 1980s and early 1990s. The team went 15 years without losing a Test series. A bowling attack of Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Ian Bishop was a joy to watch. The bowling was well supported by the likes of Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper with the bat. It was the last competitive team we saw from Caribbean islands.

Throughout the 2000s, West Indian cricket declined, owing largely to the failure of the West Indian Cricket Board to resolve a dispute with the players’ association, coupled with the general economic decline in West Indian countries, and has lead to the team is struggling to regain its past glory. The current team is struggling to offer any sort of resistance and has been facing humiliating defeats at the hands of some of the minnows of the game.

#2 India’s fielding

Indian fielding standards have undergone a drastic transformation since the 90s. India used to be a sloppy fielding side, conceding extra runs in the field. With fitness of many cricketers not up to the standards required in the game, India used to give away 10-20 extra runs every match. Though India had some good fielders in the form of Robin Singh and Ajay Jadeja, these two were exceptions rather than the rule in an otherwise poor fielding line up.

The transformation began with the emergence of Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh and has continued ever since. Such has been the rise in India’s fielding standards that India is currently one of the World’s top fielding side, having some of the fittest players in the game.

#3 The magnitude of Indo-Pak encounters

There was a time when Indo-Pak encounters would make people stay at home. People used to call in sick at offices to enjoy the pulsating clash between the two arch-rivals. Pakistan had a world class side at that time. Legends like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar ensured that Pakistan had an edge over the Indians.

The Sahara Cup between the two nations held annually in Canada was a highly sought after the tournament for the cricket lovers. However, the Indo-Pak clashes have now lost their charm. India has overtaken Pakistan in international cricket and has improved its track record against the arch-rivals immensely. Indo-Pak encounters are one-sided affairs these days with India finishing on top more often than not.

#4 The art of reverse swing

“Toe-crushing reverse swinging yorkers" were a highlight of the game in the 90s. The Pakistanis mastered the art of reverse swing. Wasim Akram used the biggest of occasions to showcase his skill with the old ball, dismissing Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis with some fine reverse swing bowling in the 1992 World Cup final to set up the win for Pakistan. However, times have changed.

With two new balls from each end, the art of reverse swing has gone out of the game. The issue of ball tampering has also ensured that the fielding side is afraid to mess too much with the ball. It has led to teams amassing massive scores in ODIs. A score of 300 which was a rarity in 50-over cricket has become a norm nowadays.

#5 Australian Bowling attack

The Australian ODI team of the late 90s was one of the best limited over sides in international cricket. The Aussies reached two consecutive World Cup finals in 1996 and 1999, winning the trophy in the latter edition. Guided by the astute captaincy of Mark Taylor, the Australians went on to become an invincible side in the late 1990s, courtesy a fabulous bowling attack led by the maverick- Shane Warne.

A fast bowling attack consisting of the impeccable Glenn Mcgrath, Damien Fleming, Jason Gillespie, and a young Brett Lee terrorized the opposition batsmen. The current Aussie attack is a shadow of itself. Apart from Mitchell Starc, it would be hard for anyone to break into the famous team of the 90s. The Aussies have tried many wrist spinners but no one has gone on to make an impact like Shane Warne.