One day game in need of review

Is it just me or is the one day format getting stale and boring? I have lost interest in this form of the game for a long time now, much preferring the Test matches, which requires a higher level of skill, tactics and endurance and to the cricket connoisseur holds no end of fascination and interest.

Attempts have been made to revamp the format, with power plays, being the major innovation but it has not achieved the desired result, in my opinion. Maybe the ever increasing number of matches that are played these days, mainly to fill the coiffures of the greedy national and international boards, is responsible for this lack of interest. If you eat the same food every day, you soon tire of it, even if it is your favourite food, so maybe it is the same in this case.

The 1996 World Cup was where the One Day format grew in popularity with Sri Lanka, the winners that year, changing the nature of the game with their innovative tactics of scoring heavily during the first 15 overs and the last 10 overs. It was new and exciting at the time and other teams followed these tactics with much success and popularity, especially in the subcontinent with the flat pitches paving the way for huge totals.

This World Cup has been much criticised for the lack of excitement due to lack of crowds, inclusion of too may minnows and exit of India and Pakistan. Maybe the old format is also responsible. It doesn't help that it is almost certain which teams are going to be in the semi finals, never mind the eventual winner, bar some miracle.

Too many matches have been one sided and really tedious to watch, with the lethargic play, disinterested players, and dull commentary all just going through the motions. Even evenly matched teams have failed to produce many tight contests. I have found it painstaking at times and would even prefer going to the dentist than watch this drub affair. The ICC in their wisdom and greed have prolonged the tournament to add to the torture.

The Twenty20 format might also contribute to the lack of interest in this format. The compression of the play takes the best bits of the 50 over game and removes the dull bits as the lull in the middle overs is avoided.

The Caribbean should have been the perfect location in which to showcase crickets lucrative and usually popular format but in this case it might just have highlighted its shortcomings and the desperate need to inject some life into it, if that is possible.