Rhodes warns franchise T20 growth could sideline bilateral ODIs

Jonty Rhodes warned franchise-based T20 cricket could leave bilateral One-Day Internationals fighting for relevance in Mumbai at a promotional event on Tuesday. He said players may increasingly favour lucrative franchise circuits over longer international careers.

The South Africa great made his remarks on the sidelines of the event and reflected on the format shift since T20's introduction: “When T20 cricket first started people were saying it was going to put pressure on Test cricket. Amazingly, it hasn’t,” Rhodes said. “For me, it was always the understanding that possibly 50-over cricket might be in trouble in the years ahead because we are bringing in a fresh crowd and a different perspective into the game.” “There will be fewer and fewer bilateral series of 50-over cricket,” he said. “But it’s very difficult to think of cricket without the 50-over version.”

Rhodes cautioned the impact goes beyond scheduling and into personal career choices. “To have three different formats within cricket competing with franchise cricket around the world, players will start making a choice,” he said. “That choice will be ending their international career slightly earlier and then focusing on being a circuit or a franchise player around the globe because there is that opportunity.”

He drew a comparison with football and the international calendar: “It is often the case because they don’t get to play that often,” he said. “Outside of a FIFA World Cup year, most of those international stars are playing for their clubs and their franchises. You might see more and more of that happening from a cricketing perspective.”

Rhodes acknowledged traditionalists may struggle with the change. “We are sometimes critical of players who decide not to play for their country. But you look at other sports, it’s happening,” he said. “The game is going to evolve. That’s what life is about. Changes are going to happen. And it’s about us.”

He added that the 50-over World Cup ensures the format retains a place on the international calendar. “As fans of the game, we accept it or we don’t. That’s our choice”.