Innovations in sport: The rise of one day internationals (ODIs) in cricket

Abstract

The rise of one day internationals has been influenced by spectator' desires for a shorter, more exciting version of the game with a mass appeal and by cricketing associations' recognition of the significant contribution it makes to their financial coffers. This article seeks to show how the diffusion of ODIs resembled that of an S curve with slow uptake by test-playing nations in the early 1970s to the present day, with all the test-playing nations and three non-playing nations participating in the World Cup. It then discusses how ODI was an ‘alpha’ innovation that has created the conditions for the development of many smaller or ‘beta’ innovations. © 2017 Wiley. All rights reserved.