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Long live the 'pyjama' game

india vs australia cricket. AAP Images
Roar Rookie
3rd November, 2013
10

I’m one of those idiots who stayed up until 4am to watch my team lose a one day cricket tournament decider. Did I regret it? Not for a second.

Once again, one day international cricket has delivered the entertainment goods. What a format. What an awesome feast of cricket packed into just one day.

What a way to wrap up an exciting series between the world’s top two ranked teams.

Yep, I am still happy for the experience.

The one day cricket format is a brilliant one. It’s had its knockers over the years and many are as vocal as ever now that T20 cricket has muscled its way in on the limited overs scene.

Is it still relevant? If we are going to reduce the amount of cricket played, is this the one to go?

If you ask me, this brilliant format we’ve been enjoying for more than 42 years ain’t going nowhere.

I’ve chuckled to myself a few times recently, observing the mockers on various social networks and websites, commenting that “the format is a joke” and it’s not “real cricket”.

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I wonder if they even experienced some of the greatest moments in cricket history.

Like the time Michael Bevan hit a four at the SCG off the last ball to defeat the invincible West Indies, or the time Herschelle Gibbs spilled a catch off Steve Waugh, in which urban legend says ‘iceman’ Waugh told him he had just “dropped the World Cup”.

What about the “game of the century” in the 1999 World Cup, when Australia and South Africa tied a low scoring nail-biter of a match after various heroics from Klusener, Warne and co.

Was that “real cricket”?

As a diehard cricket tragic, I say “hell yeah”.

Bring it on – the Andrew Symonds run outs, the Ponting diving catches, the Jonty Rhodes smashing into the stumps like Superman, the Brett Lee bouncers hitting batsmen’s helmets as they ricocheted into the stumps, the Bevans, Kluseners, Husseys and Gilchrists letting loose and entertaining us with thrilling cricket along with modern day talents like Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner, to name just a few.

If this format ever dies, a part of me will die with it. For as long as I can remember, ODIs have the ability of creating that magic, that rivalry, competition, athleticism and excitement – all packed into just one day.

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Don’t get your knickers in a knot – nothing beats Test cricket. 

It’s the purest form of the game with all the history, twists and turns and chess-like strategy that can’t be beat.

But damn, what a beautiful game 50 over cricket is. Thanks for the memories – past, present and future. Long live the pyjama game!

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