Waugh, reflecting on Australia\u2019s recent 1-2 ODI series loss to Pakistan with a second-string side, has voiced a realistic yet bittersweet prediction: that the traditional 50-over format may be squeezed out in favour of the shorter T20 format and Test matches outside of high-stakes competitions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Australian side, missing star Test players Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, struggled in the absence of its senior players. After Cummins\u2019 heroics in the first ODI helped clinch a close win, his subsequent rest, along with other Test stars, left an inexperienced lineup that suffered back-to-back crushing losses, marked by poor batting display\u2019s which saw the WC winners being dismissed for just 163 and 140 runs respectively in the second and third ODI respectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was Australia\u2019s first ODI home series defeat to Pakistan since 2002, and the performance spurred cricket commentators Ian Healy and Michael Clarke to suggest that Cricket Australia may be losing interest in low-stakes bilateral series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Waugh, one of Australia\u2019s greatest ODI players with 18 international centuries, the format's dilution through bilateral series has become apparent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think you\u2019re spot on. The World Cup and the Champions Trophies are still great events. The last World Cup in India was an amazing tournament, not just because Australia won. I still think it\u2019s a fantastic tournament and it\u2019s a great format because it combines a bit of T20 and Test match cricket in the 50-over game. You don\u2019t want to lose the 50-over game completely,\" Waugh told news.com.au.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But with an ever-packed calendar, particularly with T20 leagues and tournaments expanding globally, Waugh believes the value of 50-over bilateral series may be dwindling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut given the scheduling of all these T20 tournaments around now and with scheduling, it\u2019s squeezing out 50-over bilateral series. Obviously it\u2019s a great thing to play for your country, you don\u2019t want to disrespect that. But by the same token, you want to be playing for something that\u2019s a bit more than just a three-game series thrown in the middle of all these other tournaments and series. I think it will get phased out. I think that\u2019s probably the way to go,\u201d added Waugh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Currently, the ODI format\u2019s future may lie in exclusive events like the ICC World Cup and Champions Trophy. Waugh envisions a model where bilateral ODIs could serve as warm-ups to larger tournaments, but in between, they may lack staying power.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut given the scheduling of all these T20 tournaments around now and with scheduling, it\u2019s squeezing out 50-over bilateral series. Obviously it\u2019s a great thing to play for your country, you don\u2019t want to disrespect that. But by the same token, you want to be playing for something that\u2019s a bit more than just a three-game series thrown in the middle of all these other tournaments and series. I think it will get phased out. I think that\u2019s probably the way to go,\u201d added Waugh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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