International Cricket Council plays down threat to ODI format
The proliferation of lucrative domestic T20 leagues have cramped up cricket's already-strained calendar and England all-rounder Ben Stokes attributed his shock ODI retirement to an "unsustainable" schedule. Earlier this month South Africa abandoned their ODI tour of Australia as it clashed with the launch of their domestic T20 league, raising their chances of qualifying directly for next year's World Cup in India. ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said structuring of the game's three formats was discussed at the governing body's annual general meeting in Birmingham where the Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2023-27 was finalised.