A new trial format for limited-overs cricket that will see split innings has been approved in Australia. James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, said yesterday that the modified format was developed following a "strong message from fans that one-day cricket is their favourite format but it needs refreshing to retain that status." Features of the new format in a 31-match one-day cup tournament this year will see each team receive 45 overs, to be split into innings of 20 and 25 overs with a maximum of 12 overs by one bowler.
There will be no batting power plays, but new revised fielding restrictions will be put in place. The introduction of the 45-over format means Australia's only 50-over matches in 2010-11 will be at international level. Earlier this week in the northern city of Darwin, Cricket Australia held an experimental match ahead of yesterday's board meeting. Tasmania beat South Australia state by six wickets in a match in which each team was allocated two 20-over innings on an alternating basis.
"We have listened to the public, undertaken comprehensive consultation across Australian cricket and developed a format which we now want to test thoroughly this summer," Sutherland said in a statement. Meanwhile, South African cricket authorities have set up an independent committee to investigate the large bonuses paid to staff after the Indian Premier League and International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy last season.
Officials from Cricket South Africa (CSA), were paid bonuses of R4.7 million (Dh2.38) with Gerald Majola, the chief executive, getting R1.77m and Don McIntosh, the former chief operating officer, pocketing R1.45m. The review committee will begin its investigation next month. * Associated Press
