In exactly two months’ time, Australia would have completed an entire year as men’s ODI world champions for the sixth time in history. No cricket fan in India of course has forgotten the events of November 19, 2023, quite yet. But the last 10 months since that incredible evening in Ahmedabad have slipped by so inconspicuously for the Australian ODI team, that you’d think some sections of the cricket audience in Australia might need a reminder. Especially since we are in September, and it’s finals season for all the major football codes around the country.
But it’s also a reflection of the times that ODI cricket isn’t as popular as it once was. Maybe it’s because there have been so many other cricket competitions held in the interim. Including another World Cup with a T20 format.
Australia
Only the fourth One-Day International (ODI) will be played by Australia. After they regained their crown last November when they depart on Thursday, September 19. While Pat Cummins prepares for the Test summer back home, it will also be the first time some of their World Cup stars have played in 50-over cricket since November 19. Mitchell Marsh, the current captain, will be the first.
In case you missed it, Australia has already participated in five international cricket matches in the UK. Over the past several weeks, with one being washed out. They tied England in the Twenty20 International series after thrashing Scotland 3-0. Even though the two series didn’t exactly create headlines, the fact that white-ball cricket matches start late in this region of the world. Aren’t shown on free-to-air TV in Australia may perhaps have something to do with it.
The five ODIs against England should presumably generate a little more attention. First off, it will be beneficial that the games start much earlier, allowing the majority of Australians to watch the majority of the first innings before going to bed. There will undoubtedly be greater significance to events occurring in the upcoming weeks, beginning with Nottingham’s opening match. In five months, there will be a Champions Trophy to look forward to. The Australians have only ever won this competition once, back in 2009. Historically, they have not had much success in it. Additionally, there has been a lot of talk from the influential figures in Australian cricket.
