Investigating ODI myths
Jonathan Liew - writing in the Telegraph - looks at a few preconceptions surrounding the ODI format - like the assumptions of what a safe score is and the importance of the first 10 overs - and examines their relevance in the modern context.
ESPNcricinfo staff
22-Feb-2015
Once teams scoring more than 300 could be confident that it was a match-winning total. Now, however, the big scores are being chased down more frequently. With such a rapid transformation in ODI cricket over the last few years, Jonathan Liew - writing in the Telegraph - looks at a few preconceptions surrounding the ODI format - like the assumptions of what a safe score is and the importance of the first 10 overs - and examines their relevance in the current context of the World Cup.
A surprising number of the old maxims hold true. Doubling a team's score after 30 overs still just about works (it's actually nearer 31 overs, but same difference). Seeing off the new ball(s) is as important in 2015 as it was in 1975.
But for fielding captains as well as batting captains, the modern one-day international is much more of a juggling act than ever before. It's not fashionable to dole out praise to governing bodies, but the new regulations have breathed unpredictability and variety into a format that looked on the verge of extinction just a few years ago.