Cricket

ODI Cricket's Future: Mark Waugh Predicts a Shift Towards Major TournamentsAs the international cricket calendar becomes increasingly congested, Australian cricket legend Mark Waugh believes that One-Day International (ODI) cricket may face a gradual decline, with its future primarily confined to major tournaments like the ICC World Cup and Champions Trophy.Waugh's prediction stems from Australia's recent 1-2 ODI series loss to Pakistan, where a second-string Australian side struggled in the absence of its star Test players. The poor batting performances in the second and third ODIs, where Australia was dismissed for just 163 and 140 runs respectively, raised concerns about the format's relevance in the modern era.According to Waugh, the proliferation of bilateral ODI series has diluted the format's significance. "The World Cup and the Champions Trophies are still great events," he said. "But given the scheduling of all these T20 tournaments around now, it's squeezing out 50-over bilateral series."Waugh believes that the value of bilateral ODIs may diminish as the calendar becomes even more packed with T20 leagues and tournaments. "I think it will get phased out," he added. "I think that's probably the way to go."However, Waugh does not advocate for the complete elimination of ODI cricket. He suggests that the format could be preserved for exclusive events like the ICC World Cup and Champions Trophy. "When you get towards these big tournaments like a World Cup, then you might introduce some more games as lead-ups," he said.Waugh's prediction aligns with the observations of other cricket commentators, such as Ian Healy and Michael Clarke, who have suggested that Cricket Australia may be losing interest in low-stakes bilateral series.As the international cricket landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether ODI cricket will retain its prominence or gradually fade into the background, with its future primarily tied to major tournaments.

Legendary Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan has expressed deep concern about the future of Test cricket, citing the dwindling viewership and the shift towards shorter formats. Muralitharan, who holds the record for the most wickets taken by any bowler in Test history with 800, believes that his record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon due to the lack of consistency among modern-day bowlers.Muralitharan's concerns stem from the fact that cricketers nowadays prioritize shorter formats such as T20s and ODIs, which offer instant gratification and financial rewards. This focus on short-form cricket has led to a decline in the development of bowlers who can maintain the stamina and consistency required to succeed in Test cricket."It's very hard (for someone to surpass 800 Test wickets), because emphasis has shifted to short-form cricket," Muralitharan said. "Also, we played for 20 years. Careers are shorter now."The closest bowlers to Muralitharan's record are Australian spinner Nathan Lyon (530 wickets) and Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (516). However, both Lyon and Ashwin are in their late 30s and are unlikely to reach Muralitharan's total before they retire.Muralitharan also pointed out that the lack of experience among young bowlers is a major factor contributing to the decline of Test cricket. "Consistency is the problem," he said. "It's not about how good they are, because they all are talented. The only thing is how can they become experienced? Nowadays, it's difficult. There are too many tournaments and things in their heads."Muralitharan's concerns are echoed by many cricket experts who believe that the future of Test cricket is uncertain. The decline in viewership and the lack of young bowlers with the necessary skills and experience are major challenges that need to be addressed if Test cricket is to survive.