Gillespie says 40-over cricket can revive 50-over game

Brisbane, Feb.10 (ANI): Prospective England bowling coach Jason Gillespie believes 40-over cricket could help to revive the 50-over format of the game.

"I played County cricket and could see the absolute benefit of 40-over cricket," said respected 71-Test seamer Gillespie, who will top England's shopping list for a new bowling coach to replace Ottis Gibson.

"The fans love it because the games start at 4.40 p.m. in the afternoon. The 40-over game and Twenty20 were by far the best attended. That is why they are reluctant to get rid of the 40-over game in England," Fox Sports quoted Gillespie, as saying.

Former Test swing bowler Damien Fleming has proposed that an even split of three Twenty20 and three 50-over games over two series could revive the limited overs landscape in Australia.

Gillespie wants the one-day game to be preserved in some form in Australia's annual cricket calendar - as long as there is a 50-over World Cup to play for.

"I think 40-over cricket could work but I think it would take a gutsy administration to sacrifice 50-over cricket when it is played at international level," he said. (ANI)