ODIs give enough time to show skills, says Tahir

DURBAN: As international cricket, particularly the fifty-over format, seeks relevance in a changing sporting culture at least one current South Africa player still thinks ODIs have their place.

“I know there are T20 leagues everywhere but one-day cricket is still there and it’s not easy. People still like to watch one-day cricket. Fifty overs is a long time. It’s a good challenge and you have enough time to show your skills,” legspinner Imran Tahir said.

“In T20, there’s a time shortage because you’ve got four overs. In one-day cricket, you relax and the game goes long and you only win the game in the last 10 or 15 overs.”

Tahir, who will be in action for South Africa in the upcoming ODI series against Australia, which starts from September 30, believes the format has become compelling again because bowlers can play a bigger role in what is seen as a batsman’s game.

Last June, playing conditions were altered to allow teams five fielders outside the circle in the last 10 overs of an ODI innings, in an effort to limit what had become a glut of runs in that period.

Tahir said that even spinners could operate in the slog overs. “This 5-4 field makes our life really hard but it’s nice to see they now allow five fielders outside the circle in the last 10 overs,” he said.

“I have been bowling at the death, sometimes. You need to focus. You know if you miss your target, you will go for a boundary but it’s also good because it makes you a really good bowler. You practise hard and you try to bowl in one area most of the time.”