MCC suggests reduction of ODIs to create spaces in jam-packed calendar amidst mushrooming of T20 leagues

MCC questioned the value of ODI cricket apart from the World Cup, and to ensure that international games co-exist alongside the T20 league, they have to come to an unprecedented suggestion.

MCC suggests reduction of ODIs to create spaces in jam-packed calendar amidst mushrooming of T20 leagues

ODI trophy (Image via Sweep Cricket)

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has suggested that ODI cricket should be reduced to create spaces in a jam-packed cricketing calendar. Due to the mushrooming of the T20 leagues across the world, the MCC questioned the value of ODI cricket apart from the World Cup, and to ensure that international games co-exist alongside the T20 league, they have to come to an unprecedented suggestion.

But the changes won’t be immediate as the FTP for 2023-27 is already set, so no changes will be made. But from 2027, there can be a reduction of bilateral ODI except the year before the ODI World Cup.

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The meeting was held on the sidelines of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s between 13 members led by former England captain Mike Gatting. As per ESPNCricinfo, Gatting believes that “a scarcity of ODI cricket would increase the quality, achieved by removing bilateral ODIs, other than in the one year preceding each World Cup. This would, as a consequence, also create much-needed space in the global cricketing calendar.”

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MCC believes Test Fund can save the longest format

MCC suggests reduction of ODIs to create spaces in jam-packed calendar amidst mushrooming of T20 leagues
Zimbabwe Test team (Image via ICC Cricket)

When it comes to hosting Test series, the general conception is that other than India, England, and Australia, other countries face financial challenges. However, there’s a lack of knowledge regarding the cost of hosting Test matches and that’s why the MCC asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to prepare a financial audit.

This would help the top board to comprehend the money required for hosting the match and the commercial return, which in turn help them to identify countries facing problems. For those nations that are facing financial issues, the MCC suggested a separate Test Fund.

At the same time, the MCC also focused on the growth of women’s cricket globally, especially in Afghanistan. For this, they have advised a “substantial and ringfenced fund” which will be used only for women’s cricket. The committee also emphasized that to become an ICC member, the boards must invest in both men’s and women’s cricket.

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