News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Tim May moots ODI league

Tim May moots ODI league

By Greg Buckle
June 05, 2003 15:48 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Australian Cricketers' Association chief executive Tim May has called for the current schedule of one-day matches to be scrapped and replaced by a league.

The ACA model would mean one nation is crowned the champion team each year.

It would feature 11 teams, playing each other three times, and a relegation system.

May, a former Australia bowler, launched the model on Thursday in a bid to increase revenue, attendances, development opportunities for emerging cricket nations and lessen any temptation for corruption.

"The ACA agrees with (outgoing International Cricket Council president Malcolm Gray) that the game is being damaged by an unprecedented number of one-sided matches across the globe," May said in a statement.

"The essence of any sporting competition in the eyes of the ultimate stakeholder (the spectator) is not knowing who is going to win.

"Cricket authorities have identified that ... cricket is potentially damaged by the over-scheduling of uneven matches, yet they continue to put more of it out there for us to consume."

Every set of three matches against another country would comprise a home, away and neutral venue game.

"Each country would host 15 games for the year, ie. 10 home games and five neutral games," May said.

"One-day cricket as we know it would be totally scrapped ie. this 30-round competition would replace all other ODI cricket."

Australia successfully defended their World Cup in South Africa in March and won a world record of 21 consecutive limited-overs internationals before losing to West Indies in Trinidad last month.

Australia's World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting warned officials on Thursday of player burnout because of heavy schedules.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Greg Buckle
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024