“Everyone in Australia noticed last year that the 50-over game probably struggled a little bit in Australia with the popularity of 20-over cricket around the world, so I’m open to looking at ways to improve it” – Ricky Ponting on the decision of Cricket Australia to opt for a four-innings, 20-over style of one-day tournament, which could be the most significant development in cricket for a long time.
“Coaches reported through their county votes that the leading one-day team in world cricket – South Africa – do not mirror 50 overs at domestic level and that, provided powerplays and fielding restrictions were the same as the international format, the skills required were very similar… There has never been a better time for English-qualified players to make a name for themselves in a tournament creating great interest” – ECB chairman Giles Clarke on the counties’ decision to stick to 40-over cricket.