Yes, usually; but on some grounds - particularly in the subcontinent - the opposite is true because of dew. I saw South Africa trying to defend a modest total agaist India in Bangalore in 2005 under conditions where bowling was virtually impossible. India's victory in that match gave me no pleasure and I could see that the sentiment was reflected in several faces around me. Above all, ODI cricket is supposed to be exciting and to a large extent that involves the bat dominating the ball and not the other way around. As I mentioned before, 20-20 cricket has come about largely because there have been distinct signs of 'conventional' ODIs flatlining in the last few years.

Powerplays or other forms of juggling with the field setting during the game is not the answer. IMO, they should have a plan whereby the same fielding rules are maintained throughout the match. Why not restrict the number of outfielders beyond the 35-yard line to four throughout the 50 overs? Apart from that one rule, there should be no further restrictions on field-placing ie no compulsory close catchers etc. That would force the fielding captain to use his imagination a bit more in setting the field to restrict runs while trying to get wickets at the same time; and talented batsmen would get a bit more opportunity to 'go over the top'. 4 instead of 5 outfielders might seem like too small a change to make a significant difference in the pace of the game, but I think that it might work. It creates a few more gaps in the field for the batsmen to use, tempting them to take a few more risks than they now do after the PPs, whereas the fielding will have to be a bit more attacking to stop the batsmen from taking those risks. IMO, it is worth a try.

but it needs something to differ it from test cricket, it also brings the wider audience into the game it intresses kids which in time learn to appreciat the test match style i deffenetly think without test cricket would be boring with its 2.5 run rates it has influenced cricket and i hope it stays for the better an cannot wait for the 2020 cricet world cup

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Finally England have risen from the ashes.

It's lucky that Australia has so many of them, then. Bracken, while able to bowl swing at 140kp/h, is also known for bowling long spells of mid 120 cutters with the old ball. McGrath is also able to take the pace off the ball and cut to his heart delight. Clark also, to a lesser extent.

I've suggested it previously, it would be fairer to both teams if the game was split into 2 innings of 25 overs.

Team A bats 25 overs
Team B bats 25 overs
Team A bats its last 25 overs
Team B bats its last 25 overs

Both teams get to bat during daylight conditions, both teams get to bat during night conditions.
The team batting first still has an advantage, but not such a big advantage.
Also any calculations of the Duckworth Lewis system should be less dramatic.

On your first point I think that is one good reason for scrapping this idea, winning the toss is like winning the lottery.
On your second point - and I respect your opinion, but I would rather the captains decide where they place their fielders, not power play, or any extra rules.
Well it does differ from Test cricket - Test cricket lasts five days, while you see a result in one day cricket with any rules.
Yes but the danger is that the kids will grow up with one day cricket, and Test cricket will be shoved in the background.
One day cricket was the thin end of the wedge, then came 'Power Play', 20/20 matches - what next?.
Yeah but Test cricket has far higher run rates these days - and with that came poor shot selection, that was the cost of taking the one day cash and running, Test cricket has not the skill it once had.

When I look back to England's so called specialist one day players like - Nick Night, and Fairbrother - I think they had better shot selection that most of the England Test team, and probably of Test players the world over.

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Ern

Are we not singing the same hymn here? The one and only fielding rule for ODI's that I am suggesting is to allow a maximum of four fielders beyond the 35-yard line throughout the 50 overs. Where the fielding captain places those four or rest of the field is entirely upto him.

Thats a good idea with only one drawback. If one of the teams gets skittled in its first innings it could make the second innings irrelevant.

Day/Night games are fine if the conditions (Dew etc) dont affect the game, but where environmental factors affect the result we should only play during daylight hours.

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Mark.

But the "environmental factors" do seem to affect D/N games one way or another no matter where they are played, don't they? I agree that it is like a lottery.

They dont seem too bad in Aus, but everywhere else seems to have bother with D/N games. It is a joke when the game is decided by the toss of a coin, why not the two captains having a game of rock, paper, scissors?

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Mark.

Paper, rock, scissors i like it

We can see some true cunning from the captains...bet i'd catch smith out with paper, cause i reckon he would pull rock first everytime.