A World Cup that began with questions over the way forward for 50-over one-day internationals ended with doubts nonetheless being expressed about their price exterior the context of a showpiece occasion. Australia’s six-wicket win over India in entrance of a 92,000 crowd at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium might have been a disappointingly one-sided last for dwelling and impartial followers. However the reminiscence of a number of extra dramatic contests earlier within the match was nonetheless vivid, with Afghanistan overwhelming defending champions England by 69 runs and non-Check nation the Netherlands defeating eventual semi-finalists South Africa.
One of many plus factors of an ODI is that it permits a staff to stage the type of epic comeback extra usually related to a Check match, whereas nonetheless producing a end in a day.
And whereas the excessive velocity, smash-and-grab Twenty20 recreation could also be more and more essential to the funds of gamers and nationwide boards alike, as evidenced by the profitable Indian Premier League, it hardly ever produces drama to compete with cricket’s longer codecs.
Nowhere was this extra evident at this World Cup than throughout Australia’s exceptional pool play victory over Afghanistan when, getting ready to defeat at 91-7 chasing 292, a staggering double century from Glenn Maxwell secured a unprecedented three-wicket win.
Pat Cummins, who stored Maxwell firm throughout an unbroken stand of 202 in that memorable match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, admitted to combined feelings after main Australia to a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
“It is onerous to say. Possibly as a result of we received, however I did fall in love with ODI once more this World Cup,” mentioned quick bowler Cummins, who took an excellent 2-34 from his most 10 overs as Australia held India to a modest complete of 240 all out.
Australia briefly wobbled at 47-3 in reply earlier than Travis Head‘s 137 and the opener’s partnership of 192 with Marnus Labuschagne (58 not out) took Cummins’s facet to victory with seven overs to spare.
“I believe the state of affairs the place each recreation actually issues, it does make it a bit totally different to only a bilateral (ODI),” mentioned Cummins after a win that ended a run of three straight World Cups titles for a number nation following 2011, 2015 and 2019 triumphs for India, Australia and England respectively.
This was Australia’s eighth look in a World Cup last, having been concerned within the inaugural 1975 showpiece recreation, shedding to the West Indies in a celebrated conflict at Lord’s.
“The World Cup’s bought such wealthy historical past, I am positive it may be round for a very long time,” mentioned the 30-year-old Cummins, with the following version scheduled for 2027 in southern Africa.
“There’s so many fantastic video games, so many fantastic tales inside this final couple of months. So, I believe there’s positively a spot (for it).”
However the subject of what occurs to ODIs between World Cups stays to be mentioned.
Previous to this version, incoming MCC president Mark Nicholas known as for all ODIs between World Cups to be scrapped.
“We imagine strongly that ODIs must be World Cups solely,” he informed ESPNcricinfo.
“They are not filling grounds in a number of nations. And there’s a energy in the intervening time to T20 cricket that’s nearly supernatural.”
He added: “In a free market, probably the most cash wins.”
However former Hampshire captain Nicholas was a tv broadcaster at a World Cup the place he commentated admiringly on each Afghanistan and the Netherlands.
And with out bilateral ODIs between tournaments such because the World Cup and the Champions Trophy, to be subsequent performed in Pakistan in 2025, how will these groups preserve their customary or turn into even higher at 50-over cricket?
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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