Reliving the history of ODI cricket
Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. While the five-day cricket is considered to be the toughest one, the white-ball formats have revolutionized the sport. Notably, the popularity of cricket started rising with the introduction of the One-Day Internationals (ODIs). As it continues to remain the fan-favorite format, we take a trip down the memory lane and relive its history.
Following the success of Test cricket, the concept of limited-over tournament was introduced in 1951, where there was a cap on the number of deliveries per innings. Interestingly, the format is said to be a brain-child of an Indian, KV Kelappan Thampuran. However, the first ODI was played between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on January 5, 1971.
The world witnessed the first ODI all of a sudden when the first three days of the third Test between Australia and England were washed out. As the officials decided to abandon the match, in order to make up for it, the teams decided to play an ODI, with a cap of 40-overs per side. It was played in whites with a red ball.
Just like Test cricket, Australia displayed their class once again and proved that they are the mightier side, by winning the first-ever ODI by five wickets. Inviting England to bat first, the visitors were bundled for 190 within 40 overs, as John Edrich scored 82. In reply, Australia chased the target down within 35 overs, courtesy Ian Chappell's 60.
Here are some interesting facts from the first-ever ODI: The game saw eight balls per over, which equals 320 deliveries, 20 more than the modern-day ODI format. There was a 12th man back then, John Gleeson for Australia, while England named none. The attendance recorded during the tie was 46,006, while $33,894.60 were generated through ticket sales.
While ODI was slowly gaining recognition, it was the introduction of World Series Cricket by Kerry Packer in 1977, which revolutionized the format. It ran in opposition to established international cricket and involved three teams (Australia XI, West Indies XI and World XI). The tournament allowed a cricketer to take up the sport as a full-time profession and earn enough money to sustain himself.
The World Series Cricket introduced the following changes: - White shirts were replaced by colored clothing. - Matches were played under flood-lights with a white ball. - Introduction of dark sight screens. - Television broadcasts using multiple camera angles and on-field microphones. Notably, these changes were adopted across the board, as the red-ball ODI was abolished since 2001.
Following the success of ODIs, a number of global tournaments were introduced, starting with the World Cup, in 1975. Notably, another tournament in the form of ICC Champions Trophy was also introduced in 1998, which served as a mini-World Cup. Meanwhile, Australia are the most successful team in ODIs, having won the World Cup on five occasions.
As for the rules of ODI cricket: A maximum of 50 overs, of six balls per over, are to be bowled (previously 40, 45 and 60-over ODIs have been played). The opening 10 overs see fielding restrictions, with a maximum of two fielders outside the 30-yard circle. A bowler can bowl a maximum of 10 overs.
Following are some the ODI records to date: Most ODI wins: Australia (573/942). Highest ODI total: 481/6 (England). Most career runs: Sachin Tendulkar (18,426). Highest individual score: Rohit Sharma (264). Most centuries: Tendulkar (49). Highest batting average: Virat Kohli (60.31). Fastest century: AB de Villiers (31). Fastest double century: Chris Gayle (138). Most wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan (534). Best bowling figure: Chaminda Vaas (8/19)
