MCC recommends lesser number of ODI bilateral series after 2027 Cricket World Cup

MCC World Cricket Committee has also recommended for more funds for Test and Women's cricket.

The Custodian of the game of Cricket Marylebone Cricket Club, has recommended the reduced frequency of bilateral ODI series after the 2027 Cricket World Cup. MCC also questioned the significance of the One Day Internationals format as the teams are preferring more Test Cricket and T20 Cricket to 50-over games in a bilateral tour.

Taking the example of ongoing India vs West Indies series, despite the 50-overs World Cup scheduled in the next two months, India will play only 3 ODIs but 5 T20Is. A recent MCC meeting of the World Cricket Committee at Lord’s suggested a change in the scheduling of the bilateral tours and a lesser frequency of 50-over games. This committee consists of legends like Mike Gatting, Sourav Ganguly, Jhulan Goswami, Kumar Sangakkara, and a few other legends. 

MCC asks for increasing funds for Test and Women's cricket

MCC in a statement said, “The Committee questioned the role of men’s One Day International (ODI) cricket now played outside of ICC World Cup, and recommended it be significantly reduced following the completion of the 2027 Cricket World Cup. The suggestion is that a scarcity of ODI cricket would increase the quality achieved by removing bilateral ODIs other than in the one year preceding each World Cup. This would, as a consequence, also create much-needed space in the global cricketing calendar”. The increase in T20 leagues around the World, and players opting out from central contracts has made everyone worried about the future of ODIs. 

The MCC World Cricket Committee also recommended extra funding to keep the game’s oldest format going strong. They have asked the respective boards to provide extra funds for Women's cricket as well. Chairman of the MCC’s World Cricket Committee Mike Gatting said that the game needs to see a bit of change and shuffle. He said, “It’s time for the global game to reset. Too often, member nations are finding a living hand to mouth with their cricketing operations, versus having a long-term, viable strategy in place that future-proofs the game in their country, both financially and in terms of participation”.