Trust me, I know what I'm doing

Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland is adamant changes to the domestic 50-over format will benefit the game. He spoke to David Sygall.

Q

Would you explain the process of how CA concluded that splitting innings into 20- and 25-over allotments was the best direction to take domestic one-day cricket?

A

There was a comprehensive, indeed exhaustive, process which included a national survey of cricket fans, focus groups with cricket fans and a wide range of other groups with a cricket relationship, detailed one-on-one interviews with a range of stakeholders including players and the ACA, and print media, which all took many months. The outcome? The public said they like ODI cricket but said it needed refreshing and needed an identity strongly different to T20 cricket. They wanted a one-day game that was faster and more attacking; more strategic and less predictable than current ODI cricket (one interpretation was that they wanted a "one-day Test match"); less regulation; a better balance between bat and ball and, from people who can't get to the ground or to a TV set until after work or school, a chance to see both teams bat and bowl in the second session. This resulted in a range of format ideas then being workshopped over several more months with a range of groups, including players. The public also said it wanted more context for the ODI contests they see through the cricket calendar.

Q

Do you believe that the new format will attract viewers who previously had no interest in domestic 50-over cricket? Will you judge the new system's success by how big the crowds are?

A

ODI cricket is already popular and this is about maintaining its popularity by responding to the parallel message that change is needed. Success will be measured via formal research that tests the public response to the new format after a full season of trialling the new format in a serious, elite, nationally televised competition in which there are serious outcomes at stake.