‘The Game Is Too Long’: Aaron Finch Feels ODI Format Should Change To 40 Overs
One Day International: Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has suggested trimming the One Day International (ODI) game to 40 overs amid concerns of dwindling crowd interest and sluggish over rates.
Finch's words echo a growing sentiment among cricketing circles that the traditional 50-over format may be losing its appeal, particularly in comparison to the rapid rise of T20 Internationals (T20Is), which have captured the imaginations of younger audiences worldwide.
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"I think the game's gone too long, in my opinion. In England, they used to have the pro-40 and that was a huge competition. I think the game's gone too long, in my opinion. The speed at which the teams bowl their 50 overs is so slow, it's down around 11 or 12 overs/hour and that's not acceptable. People will argue that maybe it's a glorified T20 game but it's about the crowds," Finch said on ESPN.
However, Callum Ferguson, another former Australian cricketer not convinced by Finch’s proposal, expressed reservations about adopting the 40-over format universally.
"I am not quite sold on that for every series. I think when you've got the big dogs all playing against each other, I still think the 50-over game's electric and the ebbs and flows are wonderful but when they are so one-sided, when you've got the West Indies... who are trying to fight their way back into the World Cup, they are so off the track, I think 40 overs might actually suit that type of series, it might bring them closer together," said Fergusan.
