Lorgat Confident On Future Of Odis

International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Haroon Lorgat has defended the future of one-day internationals stating that the format remains strong despite the rise of Twenty20 cricket.

Commented Lorgat: ‘The first one-day international nearly 40 years ago involved the bowling of 40 eight-ball overs per innings and the structure of the game has been constantly evolving ever since. Over the years, various initiatives have been tried and refined and we now have quite a different spectacle to the one that was first on show.

‘Coloured clothing, white balls, fielding restrictions, bowling limitations, power plays, free hits and many other aspects of the game have all been introduced but the unmistakable and unshakable core skills required by batsmen, bowlers and fielders are still intact.

‘And the broad appeal remains strong. One-day internationals still attract big crowds and enormous television viewing figures.

‘As we prepare for the 10th staging of the ICC Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka next year, the importance of this format to the game remains very high. I have no doubt the one-day international will continue to adapt and evolve — in fact we always encourage our members to test new initiatives at domestic level to see if they work — and above all, I have no doubt the one-day international will continue to strengthen long into the future.’