Cricket has seen various inventions that faded away due to practical issues or misuse. Examples include the runner rule, retractable roofs in stadiums, experimental bats, and the penalty shootout-style decider. These innovations gained attention initially but were eventually discontinued for fairness, practicality, or player safety reasons.
1. World Series Cricket
The 1970s series, much like the IPL, revolutionized cricket with colored jerseys, white balls, enhanced technology, and player contracts, setting a precedent for modern-day cricket. Initiated by Australian tycoon Kerry Packer in 1977, the format resembled the World Cup, which had been introduced just two years earlier. Despite its popularity, the series only lasted for two seasons before it was discontinued, following a reconciliation between Kerry Packer and the cricket boards, marking the end of this groundbreaking venture in cricket history.
2. The Mongoose Bat
In 2010, the cricket world buzzed when CSK’s Matthew Hayden used a revolutionary bat in the IPL. Designed specifically for the format, the bat offered increased power and swing, making it ideal for aggressive play. However, its design made it difficult to control, leading to mistimed shots. Players quickly grew wary of its unpredictable performance, causing it to fade into obscurity and ultimately disappear from the format. Despite its initial hype, the bat couldn’t stand the test of player preference and practicality.
3. Roofs With Stadiums
In 1997, the Docklands Stadium introduced a retractable roof for cricket, 8 meters (125 feet) above the ground. The first international match there was between Australia and South Africa. Despite the innovation, the roof interfered with the game, making it difficult for fielders and disrupting play. As a result, only six international matches were held at the venue. Today, the stadium serves as the home of the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL), but the retractable roof idea was eventually abandoned due to its negative impact on the game.
4. Bowl Outs
Introduced in the 1991 NatWest Trophy, the “bowl-out” created suspense similar to a penalty shootout in football, where a bowler had to aim at the stumps. It gained massive attention during the 2007 T20 World Cup when India defeated Pakistan 3-0. However, the lack of audience interaction led to its replacement by the Super Over, which became the preferred method for settling tied matches. The bowl-out remains a short-lived, yet exciting chapter in cricket’s history.
5. Use Of Runners
The use of “the runner” rule was common in the early 2000s, allowing injured batters to be replaced by a runner. However, it faced criticism as players often exploited the rule, faking injuries to gain a faster runner, leading to unsportsmanlike behavior. Due to this misuse, the ICC removed the rule in 2011 to promote fairness and integrity in the game. The decision was aimed at ensuring that both teams had an equal playing field, eliminating any advantages gained through manipulation of the rule.