English County to Introduce 40-over Cricket over 50-over Format

English country coaches want to abandon the traditional 50-over format and replace it with 40-over format in County which will be played under the same rules and regulations of international ODI format. South Africa is currently the no. 1 ranked team in ODI format, but there is no competition based on 50-over format in South Africa’s domestic cricket. Referring this example, county coaches are now calling for a similar tournament based on 40-over format.

ICC earlier said that it would review the 50-over format after the 2011 world cup, but English counties want this change from now. Well, Giles Clarke, the chairman of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), is not yet convinced by this logic.

Many former cricketers are also calling for the abolishment of 50-over format of the game at international cricket. Aussie spin great Shane Warne earlier said that there should be only two formats: Test and Twenty20. So, it seems that the future of ODI format is now uncertain, even though nothing has been finalized yet.

Twenty20 format had also been initiated by English county championship before this shortest version of the game got worldwide popularity. Now, let us see if the 40-over format would also be brought into light by English county championship.

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Guardian