Australia's Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke discuss tactics during the One Day International, Australia v New Zealand match at the WACA in Perth, Sunday Feb. 1, 2009. (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
When the world of cricket needed a refurbishment in the late 1970s, limited overs cricket became a regular on the international scene.
Many doubted whether the limited overs version of the game would work with the traditional five day format.
However, any doubters have been proven wrong over the past three decades as both Test and one-day cricket have worked hand in hand together, offering lovers of the game two differing experiences.
Debate has now started as to the long term sustainability of the 50 over version of the game with the emergence of Twenty20 cricket on the world arena.
The English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced recently that they will scrap the domestic 50 over a side format of the game starting next season. They will play the format of the game on the international stage until the 2011 World Cup, but after that, who knows?
Twenty20 cricket has revolutionised the world of cricket, with it now being the preferred form of cricket for many players around the world as they come to the end of their careers as it pays far more lucrative wages than any other form of the game.
The Indian Premier League – which has been running now for two seasons – is run by individuals who can afford to pay incredible wages to the world’s best players on a par with some of the highest paid sports stars in the world.
Why would players not be attracted to the money involved in Twenty20?
Players are retiring from the international scene to focus their attentions on playing in competitions such as the IPL and earn millions of dollars in a six week period – far more than what they would earn playing for their country over the course of a year.
Fans also appear to love the relatively new format of the game, which offers a quick thrill for spectators with matches concluded within three hours of the first ball being bowled.
The question does remain, however: will fans still have a fascination for the shorter form of the game or will the novelty of the hit and giggle format fade away or will they take to as many appear to have done with the 50 over game all those years ago?
Is there still going to be room for all three formats of the game in the future?
This is a marketing challenge for the cricking administration that can now cater to many different segments within the market with all three formats. New generations of fans are coming on board with Twenty20 cricket and seeing it as an alternative.
However, could the 2011 World Cup spell the end of 50 over cricket?
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