Twenty20 will take over cricket

Cricket Australia‘s board is set to vote on a proposal aiming to eliminate the Sheffield Shield final and cut back on the one-day competition among states, a strategy intended to free up the calendar for two lucrative Twenty20 tournaments.

This proposal has caused discontent among senior players and arises during a period when the quality of the previously renowned domestic four-day competition is faltering in its ability to produce Test-quality cricketers.

Tim Nielsen, the national coach, pointedly chose not to reassign Mitchell Johnson to state cricket after his drop post the first Ashes Test. Nielsen indicated that the disparity between state cricket and Test matches is such that any outcomes in state fixtures can seem misleading.

The Sheffield Shield final, which was introduced during the 1982-3 season, stands as the sole domestic five-day match on the calendar.

The board is expected to hear that, due to commitments to the Twenty20 Champions League happening in October and the upcoming expansion to an eight-franchise Big Bash, the only feasible solution to accommodate all matches is to decrease the number of Ryobi Cup one-day games and eliminate the Shield final.

Peter Young, Cricket Australia’s general manager of public affairs, verified the existence of this proposal.

“There are ongoing discussions concerning domestic scheduling, and as part of strategizing for the new Big Bash league with eight teams, one suggestion is to forego the Sheffield Shield final,” Young explained.

“This would create an additional week in the summer to fit in the Sheffield Shield, Ryobi Cup, and Big Bash league programming.”

Young also noted that next season’s Big Bash is slated to feature eight city-based teams, and Cricket Australia aims to avoid forcing players to choose between state contracts and the semi-private franchises of the new teams. The board proposal is influenced by the observation that Shield finals have often lacked competitiveness.

Players in the Test squad have voiced their frustrations regarding Doug Bollinger not being released from the Twenty20 Champions League by Cricket Australia to prepare for the impending two-Test series against India in October.

Due to this decision, the bowler had only two days of practice prior to the Mohali Test, which ended with him breaking down on the final day of the match — a game Australia ultimately lost by just one wicket.

Ricky Ponting later stated that Bollinger’s absence negatively impacted Australia’s chances of claiming victory in the Test. Physiotherapists also indicated that his insufficient preparation played a role in his injury.

The repercussions of the choice not to release him from his contract with the privately-owned Indian franchise resulted in Bollinger missing the first Ashes Test, as he was considered insufficiently fit.

In the lead-up to the second Test, Bollinger managed a mere 20 overs in a Shield game before finding himself struggling in the extreme heat during the match.

One senior player conveyed to The Australian that the quality of Shield cricket has diminished over the years and would continue to decline if the final were to be eliminated.

“If that occurs, states will start producing result-oriented wickets to accumulate points,” he remarked.

“This will allow bowlers an easier time on greentops, further diminishing the quality. Historically, the charm of Shield cricket lay in the necessity to earn runs and wickets, yet I am certain the standard has declined in comparison to a decade ago.”

The player further asserted that a simple inquiry with NSW participants about the significance they place on their recent wins in away-from-home Shield finals would aptly demonstrate the match’s value.

Prioritizing domestic Twenty20 competitions has become evident for Cricket Australia as they view them as both a lucrative opportunity and a means to diminish reliance on the single revenue source generated by matches against India.

The imposition requiring Bollinger and Michael Hussey to remain at the Champions League, despite their potential participation in the domestic scene, adds another layer to this ongoing debate.The Test side’s exasperation was amplified by the recent release of players.

At the time, Hussey expressed his discontent vocally. According to the contracts signed by the duo with their respective franchises, obligations to the national team take precedence, but only upon request from their governing board.

Despite wanting to join the Test team, both players faced opposition because Cricket Australia holds a stake in the profitable Champions League, which aims to include international talent.

Buford states: “I support the idea of eliminating some one-day matches in favor of twenty-twenty since one-day games are as tired as an old bottle of urine.”

Sheffield Shield Fixtures

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