The 50 overs format of cricket is facing "serious threat" from Twenty20
version of the game and may not survive in the long run, says former New Zealand
all-rounder Chris Cairns.
"I think T20 will surely supercede the 50 over game," said Cairns, who
will play for Chandigarh Lions in the Indian Cricket League's T20 venture starting
here from November 30.
"The 50-over game is under fire from the more popular
Twenty20 version. As ICC has the committment to hold the next world cup in the
50-over format, but after that happens, the version of the game may find itself
difficult to survive," he said while giving tips to the budding players
at Tau Devi Lal stadium.
Cairns, however, said Test cricket was the ultimate Test for
any player and faced no threat from T20 version.
He said ICL was holding the tournament despite all odds and players
who had signed for it had taken a "brave decision".
The 37-year-old cricketer hoped that "better sense will
prevail" and players would not be penalised by their respective boards
for playing in the ICL.
Cairns, who was acompanied by Reetinder Singh Sodhi,
spent close to two hours with budding cricketers at the nets.
"By interacting with other international players who are
going to give them valuable tips, these players will surely learn both on field
and off-field as well," the Kiwi player said.
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