D-Day for one-dayers in Australia
Ron Reed says in the Herald Sun the first ODI between Australia and South Africa in Melbourne will give an indication into the popularity of the format.
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
Ron Reed says in the Herald Sun the first ODI between Australia and South Africa in Melbourne will give an indication into the popularity of the format.
A bit like an ageing fast bowler who has seen more fiery days, one-day cricket returns to centre stage today with an uncertain future. Many say the 50-overs a side game has become tired and tedious in comparison with the new kid on the block, Twenty20, and will struggle to survive the challenge. That argument will be harder to refute if, as seems certain, fewer than 50,000 people turn up to see Australia take on South Africa on a Friday night, recognised by all sports as box-office prime time in Melbourne.
David Warner, Australia’s new excitement machine, won’t be at the MCG after leaving the squad when Michael Clarke passed a fitness test. Peter Lalor writes in the Australian about the hype surrounding Warner.
Peter English is former Australasia editor of ESPNcricinfo