Australian seam bowler Nathan Bracken insists the one-day format still has an important role to play in international cricket.
Veteran seamer insists 50-over format retains a future
Nathan Bracken insists the one-day format still has an important role to play in international cricket and has hinted that he feels it is Test cricket that will increasingly struggle to capture public interest.
Bracken, a one-day specialist of some 116 caps for Australia, conceded that big Test series such as the Ashes would continue to thrive, but hinted that contests involving the lesser nations were becoming less and less viable.
Speaking in response to recent claims from Shane Warne and other former players that it is the 50-over format that is becoming redundant, the 32-year-old seamer defended the ODI game before going on to question the overall future of Test cricket.
"Oh definitely," Bracken responded when asked if the 50-over game still has a healthy future.
He went on to add: "And the comment I've got will probably create a lot more controversy so I'll probably keep my mouth shut about it."
When pressed, he continued: "A lot of people are sort of looking at the Ashes and looking at the big Test series now as important, and anything else is in the same boat (as ODIs).
"So I guess when you look at it, sport's changing, cricket's changing and it's probably the same with the one-day series.
"There is going to be big series - Australia v South Africa, Australia v India - which is always going to sell out but it's going to be the other ones where either a Test series hasn't lived up to expectations that's going to impact on a one-day series."
Back to fitness
On a personal level, Bracken went on to reveal that he has now regained full fitness following knee surgery and is looking to return to Australia's one-day fold as and when required.
"That's up to the selectors, I'm happy with how I'm bowling and I'm doing everything I can do," he stated.
"I'm fit at the moment so as quickly as possible is what I'm looking at, and yes, it's just going to be what the selectors decide.
"We've got our mid-season reviews coming up so I'll try and arrange to speak to them in the next couple of days and just see what's happening."
The left-armer, who will play for New South Wales in tomorrow's Ford Ranger Cup clash against Victoria, is confident he still has plenty to offer at the top level.
"I'd like to think I've got a few years left," he added. "I spoke to the surgeon after the operation and he's pretty happy with it and he's cleaned it to better than it was after the first operation which is a good sign.
"Hopefully I can now run through my career without another issue."
