The Test v T20 debate solved

Once again, England's media relations officer Graeme Swann has spoken for many, calling for an end to 50-over cricket.

"I think one-day cricket will have to give, at some point, hopefully for everyone," Swann told the BBC, drying his tears with a printout of his bowling statistics from the recent ODI tour of India. "I don't think that game should carry on for much longer."

Will cricket ever solve this debate over formats? Over in India and South Africa, thousands are staying away from Test grounds. In the subcontinent, many argue that Twenty20 is the only way to compete for the entertainment dollar. Back in England, others reckon that limited-overs cricket is a waste of time and we should only play the five-day version.

There seems now to be only one sensible solution: teams should be able to play in whichever format they like. In the same match.

Thus, a game between India and England at Lord's would see England bat first, under Test conditions, and all the English fans can enjoy a nice two or three days of watching Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook pile on 600 risk-free runs in traditional whites. Then, using a formula devised by Duckworth and Lewis that takes into account pitch conditions, the weather, the number of fit bowlers India have, the number of fat bowlers India have, and the volume in decibels of Ravi Shastri shouting about the dew factor, the score is computerised down to produce a reasonable ODI target.

Next, India's pyjama-clad heroes take to the field for their innings, and fans can cheer on the likes of Suresh Raina smashing sixes without fear of being hit by one of those nasty red-ball bouncers, and we see who is the winner. This way everybody gets to play and watch the sort of cricket that they most enjoy.

For Twenty20 fans, XIs made up of cloned Kieron Pollards will duke it out on a round-the-clock basis, available on pay-per-view TV. At any time of day or night, T20 fans will be able to tune in and watch Pollard smear Pollard over midwicket for six, and if that's not entertainment, I don't know what is.