50-over cricket may end in two years: Pietersen

By IANS,

London : England all-rounder Kevin Pietersen says Twenty20 will be the new form of one-day cricket and the 50-over form is set to be eclipsed in a couple of years.


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“I don’t think the 50-over game has had its day yet, but in terms of everything going on now with Twenty20 – the financial rewards the players get, the tournaments coming up, the interest created and the audience it grabs – then maybe so in a couple of years,” Pietersen said in a television interview Saturday.

Speaking ahead of England’s one-day series against New Zealand, Pietersen added: “I do think Twenty20 will be the new form of one-day cricket, for sure.”

He also reiterated his long-standing desire to play in the Indian Premier League.

“The IPL money is guaranteed. Our players have to play as much Twenty20 as we can… That is an opportunity for the guys to get to India to play in the IPL so that they can get themselves ready of the world Twenty20,” he said amid increasing calls by England cricketers to be allowed to play in the IPL next year.

Pietersen said “Test cricket is the best” but predicted that Twenty20 will “speed up all parts of cricket because guys are going out there to entertain, to score a lot quicker.”

“There may be a lot more four-day Test matches and a lot more 400 scores in 50-over games.

“If you play well, play great cricket, entertain, average 50 in all forms of the game, your bank balance looks after itself.”

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