Aaron Finch backs 40-over ODI games, feels it will help weaker teams like West Indies

Former Australia skipper Aaron Finch has backed the idea of reducing ODI games to 40 overs. Aaron Finch also feels that reducing the ODI games will help weaker teams like West Indies to come closer against strong opponents.

The idea of reducing ODI games to 40 overs has gained popularity during the last two years. Especially after the popularity of T20I cricket and franchise T20I leagues, ODI games have turned into too long affairs to attract crowds and viewers.

However, the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 last year gained a lot of popularity and also witnessed higher viewership. However, compared to T20Is, ODIs have less popularity among fans as they are more time-consuming.

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Aaron Finch backs 40-over ODI games

While speaking on ESPN Cricinfo, cricketer-turned-commentator Aaron Finch backed the idea of reducing ODIs to 40 overs. He said he would love to see that happening.

“I think it goes to 40 overs, I would love to see that. In England, they used to have the pro-40 and that was a huge competition. I think the game has gone too long, in my opinion”.

“The speed that the teams bowl their 50 overs is so slow, it’s down around 11 or 12 overs/hour and that is not acceptable. People will argue that maybe it is a glorified T20 game but it is about the crowds,” the 37-year-old said.

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I am not quite sold on that for every series: Finch 

Aaron Finch, who represented Australia in 146 ODIs, also feels that reducing the overs in ODIs will help weaker teams like West Indies to outplay powerful teams. He also noted that one-sided games will come closer if ODIs are reduced to 40 overs.

“I am not quite sold on that for every series. I think when you have got the big dogs all playing against each other, I still think the 50-over game’s electric, and the ebbs and flows are wonderful”.

“But when they are so one-sided, when you have got the West Indies… who are trying to fight their way back into the World Cup, they are so off the track, I think 40 overs might suit that type of series, it might bring them closer together,” said Aaron Finch, who played for Australia from 2011 to 2022.

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West Indies were bowled out for 86 in recent ODI vs Australia

Notably, the recent Australia vs West Indies ODI series witnessed one-sided encounters across all three games. Australia managed to outplay the West Indies in all three games convincingly. The AUS vs WI 3rd ODI was quite a boring affair as West Indies were bowled out for just 86 runs in the match. Later, Australia comfortably chased down the target within 7 overs.

Last year, West Indies failed to qualify for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 to shock everyone. It was the first time that the two-time champions failed to qualify for the ICC event. In recent times, West Indies have showcased a brilliant form in T20Is and Tests. However, they still need to pull up their socks to become a dominating side in ODIs.