Players fear death by a five-over cut

THE radical and abrupt shake-up of the domestic 50-over competition, despite overwhelming opposition from players, is an attempt by Cricket Australia to rescue one-day cricket and make the 2015 World Cup more profitable.

It remains to be seen if CA's abandonment of the 50-over competition for this season in place of a split innings, 45-over format will revive public and commercial interest. But it has certainly infuriated and confused many players, of whom nearly 80 per cent voted against the idea.

Many believe something had to be done about the 50-over game's slide and some have applauded CA for acting. However, with the World Cup being contested early next year, there is dismay over the timing. Concerns have emerged, including:

❏ CA is using Australia's domestic competition as the guinea pig for a format that has received negative reactions in trials in second-division English county cricket.

❏ CA is changing the fundamentals of the 50-over game at a time when players are still getting used to T20.

❏ Several players could be frozen out of the game as tactics and plans are forced to change.

❏ Fringe players will have little opportunity to push for inclusion in the 2011 World Cup squad, especially as the original plan to play half the season in the traditional format was scrapped after broadcasters requested either all or none of the season in the new format.

ACA chief executive Paul Marsh said players were not against change but most didn't see it as a better option than the current 50-over structure. ''And the timing of it is not good,'' Marsh said. ''It raises the question of how the players will be rated when the selectors are picking the World Cup squad.

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