Cricket Banter

Yes, there are far too many ODI's and now T20's. The fixture schedule is packed with them. Fair enough if all these ODI's meant something in the larger scheme of things - but they don't.

My solution would be to make all ODI's world-cup qualifiers. Every team would play each other in a series of matches both home and away in a league format. The top 6 teams would the qualify to play in the World Cup tournament.

Every ODI does mean something as they all count in the rankings.With South Africa playing New Zealand & England taking on India the No'1 team has been held my 3 of these sides during the current series.
Some of the 5 & 7 match series are way too long.3 ODI's & 3 T20's is a better balance.

Sri Lanka took the T20 series against Australia with a 2 run win.With 12 required off the last 3 balls Glenn Maxwell hit 2 fours,but failed to make contact with the last.

(29-01-2013 05:58 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Every ODI does mean something as they all count in the rankings.With South Africa playing New Zealand & England taking on India the No'1 team has been held my 3 of these sides during the current series.
Some of the 5 & 7 match series are way too long.3 ODI's & 3 T20's is a better balance.

Not every team plays each other home and away. How many times have India and Pakistan played each other? Bangladesh and Zimbabwe don't play regular ODI's. The ranking system is somewhat skewed.

The likes of Zimbabwe & Bangladesh will play more if they prove themselves.Some would argue it's a chicken & egg situation,saying thet they need more opportunities to improve.The Pakistan situation is a question of politics,Bangladesh have cancelled a tour there on safety grounds.
A Test Championship has been put on ice,but was a good idea & truer indication of the No.1 side,played out over a 2 year period.

Australia thrashed the West Indies by 9 wickets.
West Indies chose to bat & were bowled out for 70 in 23.5 overs,Starc taking 5-20.
Australia knocked the runs off in 9.2 overs,Maxwell 51 not out off 35 balls.

South Africa were bowled out for 253 in the 1st Test against Pakistan at Johannesburg.Hafeez 4-16 Kallis 50 top scores as the top 7 reached 20 at least but no one went on to make a big score, Pakistan made 6-0 in reply.It was Graeme Smith's 100th Test as captain & his 32nd birthday, he won the toss but Pakistan took the honours.Day 2 will be interesting,I expect South Africa's bowling attack to get them back into the match.

Day 2 Latest Pakistan 49 all out in 29.1 overs. Steryn 8.1-6-8-6
Can't believe South Africa haven't enforced the follow on.The only explanation I can come up with is they fancy some batting practice after a disappointing first innings display.

Close day 2 - South Africa lead Pakistan by 411 runs with 7 2nd innings wickets remaining.

Australia beat west Indies by 54 runs in the 2nd ODI. Australia recovered from 98-6 to 266-7 Bailey 125 not Out.West Indies 212 all ont Powell 83. Strac 5-32 Maxwell4-63