county cricket could return to 50-over format after success of World Cup
The likelihood of English cricket reintroducing 50-over cricket at county level has increased because of the success of the World Cup, which the International Cricket Council believes has shown an appetite for the longer one-day format of the one-day game.
Drama: the popularity of World Cup matches such as as Ireland's win over England has given 50-over cricket a boost Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Nick Hoult 8:50PM BST 28 Mar 2011
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Television audiences have reached record levels for one-day cricket during the World Cup, with Wednesday’s semi-final between India and Pakistan expected to be the most watched match one-day international ever.
Last week the England and Wales Cricket Board announced a restructuring of county cricket in 2012 but a decision on the future of the Clydesdale Bank 40-over competition was deferred until later in the summer. The board is waiting for the ICC’s report on the World Cup before deciding whether the Clydesdale Bank tournament should be 50 overs.
The decision to scrap 50-over cricket at the end of the 2009 season was controversial and went against the wishes of county players, coaches and the recommendation of the ECB’s own cricket committee. But the counties lobbied hard for a new 40-over format, which they believed was more popular with supporters. The ECB was happy to point out that 50-over cricket was believed to be declining in popularity at international level.
The Clydesdale Bank 40 was greeted with apathy last year by county audiences and the England set-up are believed to want a 50-over format to mirror the international game. A one-day international league will be introduced next year.
“I am satisfied that we have delivered a successful World Cup and, with three matches to go, I am confident that any doubts over the future of ODI cricket are now bizarre,” said Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive of the ICC.
Fifty-over cricket was criticised for its scheduling, with crowds and players exhausted by too many matches. Lorgat said the 2015 World Cup should be shorter. The competition has been trimmed from 14 to 10 teams.
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