Just a few years ago a One-Day score of 300 would have been considered a guarantee of victory. These days it barely raises a cricketing eyebrow as better pitches, the advent of Twenty20, and more aggressive batting have seen a general upward trend in one day scores across the country.
The Wizards notched up 410 against the Volts this season, the highest total in the history of New Zealand domestic One-Day cricket, and cricketing experts believe scores are set to keep going upwards in years to come.
Fast paced, short form Twenty20 cricket, which first came onto the cricketing scene in 2006, has played a big role regarding One-Day run rates, according to former BLACKCAPS bowler and Sky TV commentator Simon Doull. “The advent of Twenty20 has definitely improved one- day cricket in this country,” he said. “Batsmen are playing the likes of the “Dil scoop” and becoming more daring with their shots during the shortest format, then carrying their skills through to the 50-over game.
“Batting power-plays have also made One-Day cricket more exciting,” said Doull. And it’s not just the physical ability to score big runs that has changed. As a result of Twenty20, players have the mental strength to believe they can chase down big One-Day scores.
Doull, who was a fast bowler for New Zealand during the 90s, believes batsmen have evolved quicker in the shorter formats, and that is why big scores are being made. “The bowlers haven’t adapted as quickly as the batters, and therefore we are seeing scores in excess of 300 and 350 fairly regularly.”
Pitches also play a big part when it comes to high run totals and Doull believes the pitches are considerably better to play on than years gone by. BLACKCAPS coach and former BLACKCAPS batsman Mark Greatbatch agrees. “The scores are going up because the pitches are better, we’ve got more aggressive batting and the introduction of power-plays in the 2008/09 season,” he said. “It’s a very entertaining package.
Because of that excitement factor, Doull concludest that One-Day cricket is here to stay. “It’s so exciting. I think one-day cricket is here for a long time yet and is still one of the better forms to watch.”
