Little consensus over CA's 'blurred T20 vision' proposed one-day format

Sydney, Jun 19 (ANI): Opinion over Cricket Australia's radical plan to change the 50-over ODI format is divided, as a debate rages about the best way to revive a format most people accept is ailing, with little consensus at present.

Cricket Australia had proposed a new 40-over competition, in which teams would bat for two innings of 20 overs each, and has planned the change for the domestic limited overs format next summer.

Victorian coach Greg Shipperd worries that, in their haste for reform, administrators might simply create a blurry vision of Twenty20.

"Basically what has been proposed is a blurred vision of T20 and I think that is dangerous. I thought it was a good marketing tool that we have three distinct forms of the game, but these are personal views, The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Keith Bradshaw, the Australian chief executive of the Marylebone Cricket Club and member of the International Cricket Council committee that recommends changes at global level, congratulated Cricket Australia for undertaking a much-needed review, but expressed caution about moving to 40 overs per team format.

"I applaud their innovation. I definitely think one-day cricket needs some cosmetic surgery, probably not quite heart and lung surgery yet, but definitely some cosmetic surgery," he said.

Channel Nine wants each team to have 20 wickets rather than 10, so viewers can watch the most explosive players bat twice, and former Australian captain Ian Chappell called on influential broadcasters to come clean about their intentions.

"If you do what some are suggesting in Australia, have 10 wickets for both [innings] then to me it means two things - you are either trying to get more Twenty20 cricket or you are trying to get rid of the 50-over game," Chappell said to Cricinfo.

CA will spend the next month showing players the research behind its proposal, after captain Ricky Ponting and the player union demanded greater consultation. (ANI)