Twenty20 should not replace 50-over ODIs: Richards

TRINADAD: Sir Vivian Richards, the former West Indian batting great, has warned the cricket world against dumping 50-over one-day matches for Twenty20 games.

His comments come in the wake of several players and officials licking their lips at the prospect of a Twenty20 World Cup.

"I hope it doesn’t take the place of 50-overs-a-side cricket," Richards is quoted as saying by ‘The Trinidad Express’ newspaper. "Twenty20 is just in its baby stages. It shouldn’t remove one-day cricket," he stated, insisting, "That (50-over format) should always remain."

Richards, who is a former West Indian coach and selector, was one of the most destructive batsmen of all time, and enjoyed considerable success in limited-overs cricket besides Tests.

Recently Twenty20 cricket was introduced, albeit belatedly, to Australian audiences, and met with much success. An unofficial match between Western Australia and Victoria was played to a packed house, and the game between Australia A and Pakistan attracted much interest.

"The thing that amazes me is how rapid it is," Richards added. "If we’re all cricket lovers, it means that we are winning in some capacity because it’s an addition to the game that people appear to be embracing."

Absolutely..i would agree viv's comment...20-20 is like passing clouds..wherein 50overs is monsoon rain..

i agree twent cricket totally sucks man. it has no point either double wicket or ODI simple.

2020 is gay

No i don't think that i should not replace it cause there is some sort of different exicetmen tin 20 20 and One day are totlay more ecting and more fun to watch who cares if they are long.

well certainly not 20 20 maaan its like taking cric out of cricket and been left with ket.... lol ok neways yah its a long game 50 overs each soooo i think if its 40/40 should make a big difference........

kia khayal hai?

I dont agree at all...coz the chances of giving performane up to ones fill will be minimum enough for both bowlers and batsmen...I support 50/50..thanks

ofcourse, he is 100% correct...

Twenty20 cricket is just for entertainment and may be played for it but it shouldn't replace the 50 overs ODI game.

Richard is right twenty should not replace 50 overs because 20 20 is like double cricket matches

As 50-over ODI is not replacing test matches, so 20-20 should not replace 50-ov ODI, but they are going to be more popular of all other forms soon.

yes it shouldnt replace oneday. its tournament is a a good idea

these are the forms that make cricket even interesting. but 20/20's shouldn't replace full over matches. 20/20's and double wickets are fun though.

i dont think so becaue 20 20 is a very good
way to test ur teams hitters so i think they
should leave it as it is

What else can i say when this has come from the mouth of Batting great Sir Viv. Richards.. 20's should not be made official...