Dravid urges ICC to cut down on the number of meaningless ODIs

Indian batsman Rahul Dravid has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to revamp the ad hoc approach to scheduling or risk being responsible for the game’s demise.

Canberra: Rahul Dravid has urged the ICC to cut down on the number of "meaningless" ODIs and instead focus on major tournaments like the World Cup, besides exploring the possibility of day-night Test cricket.

"Since about, I think 1985, people have been saying that there is too much meaningless one-day cricket. Maybe it's finally time to do something about it...Anything makes more sense than seven-match ODI series," he added. Read full script of Dravid’s speech here» Dravid also urged the ICC to revamp the ad hoc approach to scheduling or risk being responsible for the game’s demise. He further said that the regularity in which ODIs are played must be drastically reduced so it returns to being a special event. Invited to deliver the annual Sir Donald Bradman Oration for 2011 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Wednesday night, he emphasized that the future lies in playing ODIs centred around ICC events, like the Champions Trophy and the World Cup. “That would ensure that all 50-over matches would build up for those tournaments. Anything makes more sense than a seven-match ODI series. The fans have sent us a message and we must listen,” Dravid told a packed audience in the ANZAC room of the Memorial. “Empty stands do not make for good television. Bad television can lead to a fall in ratings, the fall in ratings will be felt by media planners and (have) advertisers looking elsewhere.” “If that happens, it’s hard to see television rights around cricket being as sought after as they have always been in the past 15 years. And where does that leave everyone? I’m not trying to be a ... doomsday prophet - that is just how I see it,” he added. Bureau Report