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Mike Hussey has questioned the timing of the domestic one-day competition revamp this summer, fearing it could hamper Australia’s preparations for next year’s World Cup.
Cricket Australia is proposing a radical new format for the 2010/11 season, replacing sections of the 50-over season with matches featuring innings divided up into two blocks of 20 overs.
Hussey expressed reservations about some new concepts such as one batsman getting more than one life in a match and new fielding restrictions which could reduce spin bowling opportunities, following a briefing from Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland on Sunday.
“I think we have to be a little careful, we have to make sure we try and get as many players prepared for the World Cup in the subcontinent as we can,” he said.
“I am not sure the timing is great, to be trialing stuff when we have to be encouraging spinners and blokes batting against spin bowling in 50-over cricket because we are going to get a lot of that at the 50-over World Cup.
“Plus there are a lot of young guys out there that would see themselves as a chance of making the World Cup squad and probably need as much exposure to 50 over cricket as possible.”
CA wants to ease the revamp into the international game in time for the 2015 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
But first the sporting body must convince its own players of its plans to freshen up the limited-overs format.
Hussey, a player representative with the Australian Cricketers’ Association, worried the new fielding restrictions could spell the end of spinners in that form of the game.
“If I am being honest, I don’t really agree with it,” he said.
“Again I think it could take away some certain players from the game.
“I think spinners if they keep the field restrictions, spinners might go out of the game altogether which I think would be really sad, because I think that spinners can play a great role in all forms of the game.
Under the fielding rules, only two are permitted outside the 30m circle for the first five overs of each block, and four from overs six to 20.
Hussey also wasn’t keen on a batsman getting two lives in a one-dayer.
“I don’t think it is right because that is one of the great challenges about batting is if you get out first ball … you want to appreciate your wicket so much.
“So that if you get a second chance … it does not sit quite right with me.”
This summer’s one-day competition will be divided into three blocks of matches, with the first and third – played while the national team is otherwise engaged – to test the new format.
Matches played in December will retain the 50-over format, but the tournament final will be contested under the new rules.
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