The enigma that is Kevin Pietersen

[Peter Lanky]

I don't think KP's request was that unreasonable. He wanted to quit ODIs and play Tests and T20s. I sympathise with that view, because I find ODIs boring now. My preference is Tests first, T20s second, and ODIs last.

Agree. ODI's seem to have a dull period in the middle of each innings, and I rarely have time to catch a whole one.

They never used to be dull, even though fewer runs were scored in days of old. I suspect that it's due to the constant meddling with the rules, introducing gimmicks and trying to artificially alter the natural run of play which has changed the natural equilibrium and has made part of the game boring. I must confess that I haven't seen a ODI since they introduced the dreadful practice of playing "I don't like cricket - I love it", every time a boundary was scored. (I tolerate the IPL because due to crowd noise, you cannot normally hear much music on TV)

Somebody will now tell me this this was 15 years ago or some outrageously long period of time.

[Gingerfinch]

They've become dull to some due to T20 coming in. I still like ODI's but not the over long series that we have these days.

The 3 match texaco games which preceded the tests were just about right, IMO.

[shankycricket]

I think you are still a minority, because people confuse the problem with ODIs, it isn't the format, it's overkill. If someone can find me an actual meaningful International t20(main argument against ODIs) they've watched bar World t20, I'd salute them. Because there isn't one. Two match series nearly all end 1-1. Asia Cup and Tri-series were actually some of the best cricket you could watch in the last few months(includes mainly IPL of course )

And when we ran this thread: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6916&start=15 70/30, split.

And of course, what funds the game everywhere but Eng/Aus, ODIs, although maybe it's changing.

This article is still relevant and good as ever: http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/co ... 01125.html

Another good point is what would happen to Zim, Bang and Ireland without ODIs? How would they develop?

Spot on! I definitely prefer ODIs to T20Is.

[Making_Splinters]

My main problem with ODIs is that outside the World Cup they don't really hold any meaning, yes we may remember great knocks along the way but 10 years down the line will we be talking about England whitewashing Pakistan in the UAE or just about yet another World Cup failure.

It's one of the reasons I am opposed to a Test championship.

[SaintPowelly]

My main problem with ODIs is that outside the World Cup they don't really hold any meaning, yes we may remember great knocks along the way but 10 years down the line will we be talking about England whitewashing Pakistan in the UAE or just about yet another World Cup failure.

It's one of the reasons I am opposed to a Test championship.

In 10 years time, will you remember this series vs W.I ???

[braveneutral]

My main problem with ODIs is that outside the World Cup they don't really hold any meaning, yes we may remember great knocks along the way but 10 years down the line will we be talking about England whitewashing Pakistan in the UAE or just about yet another World Cup failure.

It's one of the reasons I am opposed to a Test championship.

In 10 years time, will you remember this series vs W.I ???

Probably only due to this saga, maybe not the ODI series. Shows that perhaps it would have been wise to rest KP after all.

[Making_Splinters]

My main problem with ODIs is that outside the World Cup they don't really hold any meaning, yes we may remember great knocks along the way but 10 years down the line will we be talking about England whitewashing Pakistan in the UAE or just about yet another World Cup failure.

It's one of the reasons I am opposed to a Test championship.

In 10 years time, will you remember this series vs W.I ???

Probably only due to this saga, maybe not the ODI series. Shows that perhaps it would have been wise to rest KP after all.

Who could forget our historic first test win over the might West Indians at Trent Bridge?

[braveneutral]

Can't trick me, the first Test was at Lord's.

[Gingerfinch]

Is ms talking about our first ever victory over the Windies at TB?

[braveneutral]

Yeah I know! Unless M_S wasn't and then that shows how forgettable this series will be over time.

[Gingerfinch]

Yeah I know! Unless M_S wasn't and then that shows how forgettable this series will be over time.

Yes, very forgettable.

It seems a life time ago that the West Indies along with Australia, were the biggest draw in town.

[Making_Splinters]

I don't there has been a Test series under the Flower Strauss combination that hasn't has some intrigue or sub text to it that has made it interesting to watch.

[braveneutral]

I mean they are interesting to watch, but they are not going to stand out in my mind when I look back at great moments of cricket I don't think.

[Making_Splinters]

I mean they are interesting to watch, but they are not going to stand out in my mind when I look back at great moments of cricket I don't think.

Well that can hardly be expected, if the extraordinary happened every series it would simply become ordinary.

[braveneutral]

That is true enough. I think the good thing about cricket is that with the vast history and number of statistics and methods of comparison, every series has stand out moments, even if they aren't spectacular. However, the spectacular performances are easy enough to see when they come around and even if they aren't statistically spectacular, you can just tell.

Who is to say that from now on there won't be a host of ODI retirements in England leading to a much-weakened side in the future, a pattern emerging across the globe leading the ICC to re-examine ODIs and their place in the game? If that were to happen, then this series would be a landmark.

(Ridiculous idea brings thread back on topic).