Last 4 years have been the best year's for batsman in World cricket. Scoring 300 is no longer a massive feat. This poses a big question where the quality of cricket is degrading. This blog will talk about the shift of this game in favour of batsman.
The first 200 in one day cricket was made by Sachin Tendulkar in 2010. Sehwag broke his record in 2011.But since 2013 this has no longer been an extraordinary feat. Batsmen are regularly scoring 170+ runs. In the year 2015 two batsmen reached this feat. The dominance of batsmen can be seen by the fact that England team scored 300 consecutively 4 times before coming to the semi finals of Champions Trophy. But what is the reason for such a rise in the ability of batsmen. Is there actually a rise in ability of batsmen or the reason is something else. One reason is surely the rise in the ability of batsmen. The T-20 cricket has helped batsmen to accelerate whenever they want. In today's one day cricket there is a common strategy i. e double your score at the end of 30 overs,if you have 8 or more wickets in hand.Second reason is the field restrictions.The field restriction rules today are deadly.Until 40 overs one can keep on 4 fielders outside the circle.This rule is very unfair as overs between 20-40 are planned to contain runs and break partnerships but this rule has given batsman freedom to play big shots whenever he wants as there are only four fielders outside the circle.In this rule is a recent change,few months back the rule was to keep 4 fielders throughout 50 overs.Though the rule was changed but still the rule gives added advantage to the batsman.The third and the most important reason is the flat pitches.This is a major change in recent years.Earlier only India and subcontinent pitches used to be flat but now all countries are making flat pitches giving bowlers nothing and making batting lot easier.The most recent experience was in the Champion's Trophy.A country like England which used to have good pitches ,helping bowlers to swing has moved on to flat pitches.This is really a shame.The dream of a bowler to bowl in English conditions is no more a dream as the pitches have gone a 180 degree change.
Finally it would be incorrect to say that batsmen have not improved but the conditions are now a lot against the bowlers.The thrill of a low scoring match is no more seen just to make it more batting dominated.I would like is ICC intervenes in this matter and at least changes he field restriction rules if not the pitches.If not done so then slowly we will start producing only batting legends and no bowling legends.
The first 200 in one day cricket was made by Sachin Tendulkar in 2010. Sehwag broke his record in 2011.But since 2013 this has no longer been an extraordinary feat. Batsmen are regularly scoring 170+ runs. In the year 2015 two batsmen reached this feat. The dominance of batsmen can be seen by the fact that England team scored 300 consecutively 4 times before coming to the semi finals of Champions Trophy. But what is the reason for such a rise in the ability of batsmen. Is there actually a rise in ability of batsmen or the reason is something else. One reason is surely the rise in the ability of batsmen. The T-20 cricket has helped batsmen to accelerate whenever they want. In today's one day cricket there is a common strategy i. e double your score at the end of 30 overs,if you have 8 or more wickets in hand.Second reason is the field restrictions.The field restriction rules today are deadly.Until 40 overs one can keep on 4 fielders outside the circle.This rule is very unfair as overs between 20-40 are planned to contain runs and break partnerships but this rule has given batsman freedom to play big shots whenever he wants as there are only four fielders outside the circle.In this rule is a recent change,few months back the rule was to keep 4 fielders throughout 50 overs.Though the rule was changed but still the rule gives added advantage to the batsman.The third and the most important reason is the flat pitches.This is a major change in recent years.Earlier only India and subcontinent pitches used to be flat but now all countries are making flat pitches giving bowlers nothing and making batting lot easier.The most recent experience was in the Champion's Trophy.A country like England which used to have good pitches ,helping bowlers to swing has moved on to flat pitches.This is really a shame.The dream of a bowler to bowl in English conditions is no more a dream as the pitches have gone a 180 degree change.
Finally it would be incorrect to say that batsmen have not improved but the conditions are now a lot against the bowlers.The thrill of a low scoring match is no more seen just to make it more batting dominated.I would like is ICC intervenes in this matter and at least changes he field restriction rules if not the pitches.If not done so then slowly we will start producing only batting legends and no bowling legends.
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