Farewell One Day cricket, thanks for the memories
Roar Guru By David Wiseman, 11 Sep 2009 David Wiseman is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Cricket, ODIs, one day international cricket
South Africa's Johan Botha bowls a delivery while Australia's Ricky Ponting looks on during their One Day International series match at the MCG in Melbourne, Friday, Jan. 16, 2009. AAP Image/Joe Castro
I have never been more disinterested in a one-day series. Australia wins, Australia loses, who cares? Craig White scores runs, Nathan Hauritz takes wickets. Big deal!
This is a crowded time of the sports year and the care factor for these games is lower than Kyle Sandilands’ approval rating.
All and sundry have acknowledged the demise of the 50 over game.
Let’s face it – when it came onto the scene, the shortened form of the game was fresh and exciting. Chris Tavare was the poster boy of Test cricket and you would hear gasps from the crowd if there was a four before lunch on the first morning of a Test match.
But then one day cricket shook things up. Fine.
But just because you had fun with something 20 years ago doesn’t mean you are going to have fun with it now. The Nintendo 64 or Sega Saturn is at the back of the closet for a reason, and if you look really well, you could probably find a Game & Watch in there as well.
Would I waste my time with any of these when I have a Wii, Xbox and PS3 waiting for me? No way!
That isn’t to say I’m not going to miss parts of the 50 over a side game.
I already miss the triangular series. I loved the old school version when the two neutrals played on the Saturday and then one of them backed up for the Sunday.
They were fun.
I’m going to miss the wicketkeepers appealing for a catch when they are trying to con the umpire into not paying a wide.
No longer will I be able to fall asleep in front of the telly watching a day-nighter from the WACA and wake up to see that there is an episode of Bonaza on.
Good times!
I liked the feeling when leaving work at 1 in order to be at the SCG in order for the 2.20pm start.
Most of all I will miss those days when it’s raining and they show classic games. I remember one particular wet summer when they showed a lot of the early years of World Series Cricket.
That was cool.
There were moments I will remember forever. Michael Bevan hitting a four off the last ball of the match, Allan Lamb hitting 18 from the last over of the match, Trevor Chappell bowling underarm, the Phil Simmons wicket dance and Steve Waugh taking a catch behind the sightscreen at the MCG are all great memories from a bygone era.
They will be missed. Why wouldn’t they? But that’s the price we have to pay for progress.
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- Cricket, ODIs, one day international cricket
September 11th 2009 @ 1:53pm
sheek said | September 11th 2009 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
Brett,
I’ve referred to it several times in regards to rugby union – the de Beers diamond ‘artificial scarcity’ principle.
It’s been working a treat for them for over 100 years!
BTW, listened to that first ever ODI in January 1971, on Radio Australia, while on school hols in PNG. And followed every ball of the first WC in England 1975. Was also one of the fans of WSC 1977-79, much to the horror of my dad & other 40s plus folk.
But I’m over one day cricket now….. bored as hell with it, & cricket generally.
September 11th 2009 @ 3:09pm
Greg Russell said | September 11th 2009 @ 3:09pm | Report comment
Sheek, if you are “bored as hell with … cricket generally”, then how on earth do you rouse yourself to watch rugby, especially at the international level? Cricket may have its problems, but in comparison with rugby’s current problems …
September 11th 2009 @ 4:38pm
sheek said | September 11th 2009 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
Greg,
Insanity, or is it habit? Maybe a combo of both!
September 11th 2009 @ 3:10pm
Chop said | September 11th 2009 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
I do agree that there is to much meaningless ODI cricket played, but I don’ t think it is dead yet.
The expansion of T20 will certainly impact on the amount of ODI cricket being played, but hopefully in a good way. It may mean a reduction of ODI cricket limiting it to an add on to test match series with a t20 or two thrown in as well.
September 11th 2009 @ 5:51pm
davido said | September 11th 2009 @ 5:51pm | Report comment
Yes the end is nigh.
One day I might be able to say I saw the first and last game of a sport that lived and died.
September 11th 2009 @ 7:46pm
AndyS said | September 11th 2009 @ 7:46pm | Report comment
They just have to make it mean something again. Who cares once the Tests are over? If they’d played these matches leading up to the Ashes they would be watched and analysed to death as an indicator of form etc. Instead, it is just the kids having a hit once the grown-ups have retired to the shed for a beer.
October 2nd 2009 @ 8:49pm
Ben J said | October 2nd 2009 @ 8:49pm | Report comment
David, I agree completely, Bonanza should have been on much earlier.
January 5th 2010 @ 4:07am
Stellenbosched said | January 5th 2010 @ 4:07am | Report comment
As a South African who lived through the agony of isolation and the ecstasy of re-admission I have to say that those running sport in general are killing the goose. My two favourite sports are rugby and cricket. The length of both these seasons in South Africa have been extended year in and year out. The rugby now starts with the Super 14 at the end of Feb and the last Springbok tour match is into December. Way too much!!! Add to this the cricket season stretching over 9 months and then include satellite offerings and I have to say that I am turning off watching sport. It now becomes easier to get in a huff if you feel the ref is biased and then turn off the TV. Who decided that a 15Th team is needed for the Super 14? We should never have gone beyond the Super 12 in my opinion. Nothing in abundance can continue to inspire and motivate. It is the way of humans, and I am really worried about my apathy towards sport.
June 7th 2010 @ 9:07pm
adam said | June 7th 2010 @ 9:07pm | Report comment
so why the pic of bakkies botha ?