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The most far-reaching innovation in professional cricket in the last hundred years has been limited over one-day cricket. Today one-day international matches have been now an integral part of the world cricketing scene and is slowly pushing the 'real' cricket, according to the purist - the Test cricket, to the background.
The idea of limited - over cricket was conceived by an M.C.C. commitee established in 1956 to remedy the decline in the
attendances and the desperate financial positions of many first-class counties during the late fifties. Its proposal, that a one-day knock-out tournament be introduced. With the start of the Gillette Cup in 1963 in England, a new
era had dawned in popularising this instant version of the sport.
Interestingly, despite its popularity in England in the sixties, the first ever one-day international match was brought about by chance. A hastily arranged match between Australia and England, was played at Melbourne on 5 January, 1971, on the final
scheduled day of the rain-aborted Ashes Test match to compensate the disappointed public for the loss of cricket. Thus began a new revolution in international cricket, in a match which attracted a crowd of 46,000 spectators and produced receipts of A$ 33,000.
The I.C.C., sensing the crowd pulling potential of the one-day form of the game, soon
organized the first-ever World Cup which was held in England in 1975. However it was the advent of Australian television magnate, Kerry Packer, which
revolutionized this type of cricket. Innovations such as floodlit (day-night) matches, white balls, black sightscreens and coloured clothing, coupled with skilful marketing strategies have produced instant
exitment.
Today one-day international matches are so popular that they are played at every nook and corner of the globe. Sharjah
(UAE) became cricket's first out-post in the mid eighties and has the unique distinction of hosting most matches than any other country. International matches have also been played at Singapore and Kenya.
However there has been a proliferation of matches during the recent times. In 1996, a record 127 matches were played, with Pakistan alone playing in 39 of them. One sincerely hopes that this proliferation does not become detrimental and one-day cricket die a natural death.
Milestones
05-01-1971 The first ever ODI was played at Melbourne between England and Australia. Australia won by five wickets. Englishman John Edrich (82) scored the first fifty and was adjudged the first Man of the Match.
24-08-1972 The first ever ODI to be played in England was held at Old Trafford, Manchester. England won by six wickets. Englishman Dennis Amiss (103 in 134 balls, 161 minutes, 9 fours, 100 in 130 balls in the 46th over) recorded the first ever ODI hundred on debut. He put on 125 runs (in 86 minutes and off 26.4
overs) for the 2nd wicket with Keith Fletcher - the first ever century partnership in
ODI.
28-08-1972 By beating Australia 2-1, England were the first holders of the Prudential Trophy - the first ever prize for a ODI series. England's Geoff Arnold (4 for 27 in 11
overs) became the first bowler to capture four wickets in a match.
11-02-1973 New Zealand and Pakistan appeared for the first time in an
ODI. The match at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, was the first to be played on a Sunday. It began at noon and finished in dusk at 6:30 pm. New Zealand's 29 year old opening batsman from Christchurch. Peter
Coman, was the first player to appear in an ODI, who was destined not to play Test cricket.
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