Put an end to 50-over cricket: Swann

Published November 26, 2011

graeme swann, england cricket, swann captain
Swann, who had a miserable one day series against world champions India in October and was dropped for the final match, said that something had to give in the increasingly crowded international schedule. -Photo by Reuters

LONDON: England's star spinner Graeme Swann wants an end to one day international cricket he told the BBC.

The 32-year-old - who has slipped from the top of the bowler's rankings in that format of cricket to third - said it was not an enjoyable experience playing the 50 a side game.

He added that the recent postponement of the world test series - England are presently ranked first in the world - by the sport's governing body the International Cricket Council (ICC) was a mistake.

“I think one-day cricket will have to give at some point, hopefully for everyone,” said Swann, who has taken 90 wickets in 64 one-day internationals at an average of 25.43.

“I don't think that game should carry on for much longer.

“For me it's not as enjoyable to play in. I think Test cricket and Twenty20 are the way forward for cricket,” added Swann, a member of two successive Ashes winning sides.

Swann, who had a miserable one day series against world champions India in October and was dropped for the final match, said that something had to give in the increasingly crowded international schedule.

“We do play too much cricket and if something had to give my choice would be 50-over cricket, or make it 40-over cricket or something,” added Swann.

“But that's a purely personal choice. I don't think many people agree with me.

“I think I will finish (playing) before any changes take place so I will carry on playing whatever they put in front of me.”

The ICC's decision to cave in to pressure from a television broadcaster and postpone the inaugural World Test Championship - due to be staged in England in 2013 - in favour of the more lucrative 50-over Champions Trophy was blasted by Swann.

“This is frustrating because being English we rate Test cricket above and beyond anything else, and certainly the Champions Trophy,” said Swann.

“(Abandoning the Test Championship) is a bit disturbing and short-sighted in my view but I'm not the powers that be.”

Swann is not the first to criticise the decline in importance by the authorities of test cricket with many slamming the decision to make the recent South Africa v Australia series a two match head to head which ended up a thrilling spectacle and a 1-1 draw.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...