The One-Day Internationals

One-Day Internationals after the Test series are let down; like the school play after the Lord Mayor's show. The new rules regarding substitutes and fielding restrictions merely re-enforce this. The fact that such changes were introduced with only a few murmurs of opposition highlights the unimportance of such games. Provided that the sanctity of Test cricket remains unchanged, people do not really care what gimmicks are brought into the shorter version of the game.

In my view the One-Day Internationals should be held before, not after the Test Series. To whet the public's appetite before the real cricket begins. It would also provide the touring team with an opportunity to adjust fully to the different conditions the host country offers.

One-Day Internationals will always bring in larger crowds and as a money spinner they have a place in world cricket, but they should know their place, which is as a support to the main act.