Too much cricket waters down the product
Roar Rookie
By funkygabe, 29 Jun 2010 funkygabe is a Roar Rookie
Anyone sick of endless cricket tournaments, across multiple formats of the game, that have just blended into each other, creating a dull background noise for the winter sports season?
I am (sigh) …
Did you used to look forward to the cricket season and supporting the Australians against the best of the rest?
I did, but now it’s a season that never seems to end, with tournament after tournament aimed at extracting every last cent out of the market, while trying to upstage every other sport on the planet.
I used to support the Australian team fiercely.
I don’t any more as they are stretched too thin across the formats and I can’t keep up with it all – it has diluted the character of the game and its relevance in Australia’s national sporting calendar.
Beating England used to be a nationwide celebration. Its not anymore as we have just sent a third grade side to be flogged five-nil in an ODI series (whatever the hell that is) that could only be filed in the “profit opportunity” cabinet.
I don’t think I’ll follow the Ashes now as we have performed so poorly in this ODI series. Based on the outcome of the ODI series, I think the English will flog us in the Ashes.
The people in charge should be stripped of their privileges to organise teams for this fine nation.
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Rabbitz said | June 29th 2010 @ 7:48am | Report comment
I agree, each series starts and I think “Meh, too hard.” In fact I couldn’t tell you the results of any tournament in the last couple of years.
But our best and brightest players and best and brightest administrators and best and brightest entourage members must be paid. So flog the the golden goose until it becomes barren is the only way to go.
Vinay Verma said | June 29th 2010 @ 8:08am | Report comment
funkygabe,Once you have cricket in your blood you never walk away. I agree with you that there is too much cricket played and sometimes with no context and even less contest.
However the seasons are still defined and Australia do not play at home till November.
This same “third rate” side you bemoan beat England 6-1 not so long ago. England meanwhile have improved and are playing good cricket. There is ample evidence to suggest the Australians remain drawcards in England. The first three onedayers were sold out. So Australia did not win..surely you are not a fairweather supporter.
Most of the guys have had a two month break and are ,perhaps ,not on top of their game. However that is not an excuse and England have deserved their wins. Barring two or three additions this same squad will defend the 2011 World Cup.
In this case the selectors have done a good job and the introduction of Smith and Khawaja shows they are looking ahead.
There is a lot of good cricket coming up and I am sure you will rediscover your enthusiasm once the cicadas are out. The winter cold is sometimes numbing and we make statements based on perception rather than reality.
Tristan Rayner said | June 29th 2010 @ 8:11am | Report comment
I couldn’t agree more with your first point. Especially one-dayers. I’ve read recently that we lost a few one day games in England. I wouldn’t have known we were even playing except for coverage on The Roar – and I think no one would really care at all unless we were flogging England or being flogged.
Still, I’m not entirely convinced we’ll be crushed in the Ashes based on the one day series – but by all reports Ponting and Hussey have lost their touch and we’re too used to the more generous bowling of Pakistan and the Windies.
Viscount Crouchback said | June 29th 2010 @ 9:29am | Report comment
There is too much cricket, no doubt – but I think ODIs actually work okay when they stand alone as is happening now in England. The real problem comes when you play an Ashes and then shove a bunch of ODIs on the end of it.
I also wouldn’t read too much into this result. There’s no question that England will be competitive in the Ashes but it’s worth remembering that a lot of England’s improvement in the shorter forms of the game is thanks to players like Kieswetter and Morgan who haven’t (yet) done anything in Test cricket.
I imagine that Ponting would feel quite hopeful of working over the likes of Ian Bell and Trott in Australia. Equally, Strauss will feel confident about working on the cracks that Broad and Swann have created in this Aussie batting line-up. All in all, it’s shaping up to be an even, enthralling contest.
Fivehole said | June 29th 2010 @ 9:34am | Report comment
I used to think it was more because when i was a kid i was cricket mad and had lots of free time. Now I have a family of my own and only a little time for myself, i don’t have the time to watch games in their entirety, more dip in and out for a score update.
However, I think you are onto something with the too much being played. I still enjoy the good test matches (ashes, Aus v Ind, even like series not involving Aus if it is well contested and highly skilled), but apart from during the Australian summer, have no time for T20 and one day games. World cup is probably the only exception.
Cracker said | June 29th 2010 @ 11:48am | Report comment
Definately too much cricket. The tests are all I really care about now and they are where you still find memorable moments. I can’t remember who did what in one dayers and 20/20 anymore. I think I can still get excited when Australia plays test cricket because I don’t get jaded following all the other stuff.
The big bash 20/20 has been good though and gives state players better opportunity to perform in the spotlight.
Republican said | June 29th 2010 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
And not just Cricket.
This is the way of the world which sees a glut in product whether it be sport or otherwise. The insatiable and hypo consumer demands more and more which has the effect of dumbing and watering down a society already devoid of substance.
We have evolved into prosaic slaves to advertising and marketing gimmics of which T20 is the epitome.
Lolly said | June 29th 2010 @ 5:54pm | Report comment
funkygabe, if I have read right, you are not going to follow the Ashes as you think the Aussies might lose?
So you aren’t a cricket fan then?
This was definitely a profit opportunity series as it was an add-in to the FTP which is becoming more meaningless as a way of controlling the international cricket schedule by the day.
Brett McKay said | June 29th 2010 @ 6:14pm | Report comment
well put Lolly…
NY said | June 29th 2010 @ 6:51pm | Report comment
There are too many limited overs formats. 20, 40 and 50 over cricket is now played. Test cricket is the only thing left with some form of integrity. I think limited overs cricket has to stick to a standard amount of overs for ALL matches, and create a calendar. If 20/20 is the only form then so be it. Otherwise no one will know what is happening and lose interest.
Crashy said | June 29th 2010 @ 7:54pm | Report comment
I am in exactly the same mind-set. Over the last few years cricket has definitely lost its lustre. Remember in the 90′s when one day series meant something…..
Its obvious its all about milking the cash cow and I have switched off some years ago.
Don’t get me wrong, I have supported the game since I was a pup, but this endless international season is a dull monotony.that I have completely lost interest in.
One thing I have enjoyed was the 20/20 state competition. I don’t mind watching NSW play the mexicans from VIC.
LESS ONE DAYERS PLEASE!