England all-rounder Moeen Ali on unsustainable schedule, became the latest member to join the list of players to hit out at ‘unsustainable’ schedule, predicting that if nothing is done to improve the game’s untenable schedule, additional players may follow colleague Ben Stokes in giving up one-day internationals.
Stokes, the test captain of England, made his shocking 50-over cricket retirement announcement at the age of 31 last month, claiming a schedule that was “unsustainable” due to the emergence of franchise-based Twenty20 leagues.
“International cricket in all three formats is by far the best cricket to play. There’s no doubt about that, but I do worry there are so many tournaments out there that players are retiring more now and you’ll see more retiring soon,” Moeen said.
“At the moment it’s not sustainable in my opinion. Something has to be done because I fear losing the 50-over format in a couple of years because it’s almost like the long, boring one if that makes sense.
“It’s almost like you’ve got T20s, you’ve got the Test matches, which are great and then the 50 overs is just in the middle – there’s no importance given to at the moment. So yeah, I think there’s too much. Personally I feel like there’s too much going on.”
Despite Moeen‘s concerns, ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice has rejected the fears talk over the future of the format. “I think at this stage there is some discussion, not specifically about ODIs, but about the mix of formats within the calendar,” he said.
“Countries have been, in their FTPs, are still scheduling a healthy number of ODIs as well. So in the FTP, I don’t think you’ll see any significant change to the number of ODIs or the proportion of ODIs as being planned.”
However, Moeen is right now overwhelmed with the kind of environment England team having in their dressing-room in the red-ball format. The thrilling atmosphere generated by England red-ball skipper Stokes and new head coach Brendon McCullum this summer may encourage Moeen, who quit from Test cricket last year, to come back.
