- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Michael Slater, the former opening batsman and now Channel 9 commentator, made an interesting comment yesterday that the 50-over format has had the Richard.
Not quite Mr Slater, not while there’s still a money-spinning World Cup. That’s the key – money – all the ICC cares about.
But the format is a very poor third in spectator support, well behind Test matches and the adventurous Twenty20.
Last night a NSW record crowd of 59,659 at ANZ Stadium watched Australia continue India’s woeful tour with a comfortable 31-run victory in the first of two Twenty20 matches.
That’s where the shortest format has it all over the 50-over version. There’s no time to mess around getting the eye in, and checking the wicket. Get on with it.
Where Michael Slater is quite right, the 50-over format often gets bogged down in the middle stages, losing momentum.
Do that in a Twenty20, and you’re dead in the water. That’s why crowds are flocking to any Twenty20 games which are attracting spectators who wouldn’t go to the 50-over game, and certainly not a Test match.
Man-of-the-match Matt Wade proved the value of momentum last night. His sparkling 72 off just 43 deliveries set up the win. His last 34 took only 14 deliveries.
The keeper-left-handed opening batsman took on an Adam Gilchrist type role. “Gilly” would have been proud of him. Australia certainly was.
Man-of-the-moment David Warner warmed up the big crowd with 25 off 14, including two massive sixes, the first switch-hitting better than most right-handers.
Veteran all-rounder David Hussey did more than his share with a quickfire 42 off 30, 2-4 off a couple of overs, and a snappy slips catch to dismiss Virender Sehwag off Brett Lee in the opening over – Hussey unlucky not to claim man-of-the-match honours.
Brad Hogg, in the second twilight of his career and the oldest man on the park just five days shy of his 41st birthday, played his part with 1-21 off his four overs.
And especially for the Dan Christian knockers, his 2-35 off four, nailed India.
Interest now centres on the makeup of tomorrow’s Australian lineup for the MCG, wanting to keep the pressure on India while they are so wobbly.
First up Mitchell Marsh, the 20-year-old loaded with all-round talent, must bat higher than No 6, and there are three in the squad who missed selection last night – Aaron Finch, Clint McKay, and Shaun Marsh.
As for surprise captain George Bailey on international debut, he did nothing with the bat, but led the side well in the field and his bowling changes reaped rich rewards.
But when all said and done, Bailey is only an interim captain until Shane Watson resumes after injury.
As the golden summer of cricket continues for the Australian teams. What a difference in a year.