Ian Bishop expresses concern over ODI cricket’s future after South Africa pulls out of Australia ODI Series

Earlier this month, Cricket South Africa (CSA) cancelled the ODI series which was part of the upcoming Australia tour. The three-match series was dumped as South Africa’s request for new dates. The series was clashing with their domestic T20 league. This could not be accommodated by Cricket Australia (CA) hence resulting in the cancellation.

The rise of T20 cricket in recent years has been phenomenal. With the growing popularity of franchise cricket tournaments all around the year, major cricketing nations have started conducting them, be it the Indian Premier League(IPL), Big Bash, Caribbean Premier League etc but playing this tournament has now started coming at the cost of International fixtures. IPL gets a special window where minimal international cricket happens during that period but this cannot be done with other leagues. 

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South Africa gives away 30 Super League points, staking its ODI World Cup qualification

The Australia-South Africa ODI series was part of the ICC ODI Super League which determines direct qualification for the 2024 World Cup. Since there was no window available to reschedule the series before the qualification cut-off in May 2024, South Africa agreed to forfeit all 30 Super League points to Australia. These incidents are now raising questions about the credibility of One Day Internationals.

Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop questions South Africa’s move to risk their 2024 ODI World Cup qualification. Expressing his disapproval he said it shows that franchise cricket is becoming more important for a country.

“From an egalitarian point of view, you want the purity of international cricket to continue. But the economics of cricket is also an important factor. So, how do we marry the economics and the good for the good of the game? Franchise cricket is showing us that they need a window.”

“IPL needs a window, CPL needs its opportunity, Big Bash needs opportunities for its best players to bring in that revenue stream. But I can see down the road where there is going to be a clear demarcation for that period of the franchise like football, in international cricket. South Africa clearing their schedule is clearly showing that the commitment to franchise cricket is assuming significant importance on a country’s agenda,”

SAID BISHOP IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH IANS.

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Ravi Shastri calls for reduction in T20Is, giving importance to World Cups

Endorsing Shastri’s views, Bishop added:

“Maybe we could reduce some of that bilateral 50-over and 20-over tournaments, where I agree with Ravi. We could have to go that way and put the premium now on World Cups and maybe choose our teams from within those franchise events and put a smaller window to bond and prepare for World Cups.”

With the window for T20 leagues keeps getting longer, Bishop urged the parent body to put in efforts to safeguard international cricket.