According to ICC, a ‘healthy’ number of ODI matches would be played in the 2023-27 cycle
The emergence of domestic T20 leagues all over the world has further congested the already hectic cricket season. Recently, England all-rounder Ben Stokes shocked everyone by announcing his retirement from ODIs at just 31, citing an "unsustainable" schedule.
On Wednesday (July 27), the International Cricket Council (ICC), which oversees the game, downplayed the threat to the 50-over format and said that a "healthy" number of ODI matches will be held throughout the 2023–27 cycle.
Recently, Australia batter Usman Khawaja said that with the growing craze for T20 leagues worldwide and the hectic international schedule, ODI cricket is dying a “slow death”. Legendary seamer Wasim Akram also expressed his concerns and demanded that the ODI format be permanently scrapped by the administrators.
South Africa withdrew their ODI tour of Australia earlier this month because it conflicted with the start of their domestic T20 league, risking their chances of advancing directly to the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023.
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According to ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice, the structuring of the three formats was considered during the ICC’s annual general meeting in Birmingham, where the Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2023–27 was finalized.
"I think at this stage there is some discussion, not specifically about ODIs, but about the mix of formats within the calendar," Allardice said in a video conference.
"Countries have been, in their FTPs, are still scheduling a healthy number of ODIs as well.
"So in the FTP, I don't think you'll see any significant change to the number of ODIs or the proportion of ODIs as being planned," he added.
The balance between domestic competitions, their international schedule, and the management of their players must be managed, Allardice added, by cricket boards around the world.
"Each of them has to manage that balance between domestic competitions, their international schedule, and the management of their players.
"Each of those boards is in slightly different situation. So there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to that balancing issue."
Greg Barclay, the chairman of the ICC, acknowledged the exponential rise of franchise-based leagues but didn’t feel like the game was at a tipping point.
"So there's a lot of pressure on the calendar, but I'm not sure it's a tipping point," he said.
(Reuters Inputs)