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MELBOURNE - One-day openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist fear Australia's annual triangular limited-overs cricket series has become tired and in need of a revamp to retain its popularity with crowds.
The two stars, who rank among the world's most entertaining batsmen, also see the merit of next summer shelving the tri-series and having Australia instead play separate one-day series against touring teams.
Cricket Australia's (CA) board directors will tomorrow discuss the prospect of instigating the biggest shake-up in the home one-day international calendar since the summer of 1979-80, when the tri-series was first staged.
CA is considering changing the format next summer, when South Africa and New Zealand tour, by having Australia play three tests and a head-to-head one-day series against each opponent.
Critics of the tri-series format argue it is too long, fails to capture the public imagination if teams dominate, and lacks spark when neutral games do not feature the home side.
The 2007-08 tri-series comprises 12 pool matches and a best-of-three finals series staged over a month at a time when cricket will compete with A-League finals, tennis, golf and the return of the AFL and NRL.
Hayden said the current format had reached its used-by date and needed changing.
"I think the system has got a little bit tired as far as the tri-series is involved," he said.
"If you've got a decreased number of games but a highly competitive tournament it's an asset.
"I feel towards the back end of the tri-series if one side, like Australia has done for a long time, has dominated the competition, there does seem to be a lot of dead rubber games.
"That could be Hobart's (only) game and I believe they deserve a more meaningful game."
Hayden said there was more merit in Australia playing an opponent in a shorter series rather than having a drawn-out preliminary competition.
"I think as a fan you want to be seeing a highly competitive match with a lot riding on it," he said.
"I believe you can get just as much of that from having a five-match series."
Gilchrist said it was hard for players and supporters to maintain their interest over a long period, and pointed to the lull among Australian crowds when their side was not playing.
"I guess in recent years the clashes that haven't featured Australia, where they've featured two touring teams, have probably not been quite as popular as in previous years," he said.
"So they've (CA) got to look at it and see if they can improve the product.
"I understand where they're coming from.
"It would be interesting to see what the public think. It will be interesting to see how the public attends the coming summer's triangular series, that might give us a bit more of an indication."
CA spokesman Peter Young said the organisation constantly reviewed its scheduling, but would not have its 2008-09 programme finalised until March.
CA directors are also expected to discuss the possibility of scheduling a sixth Ashes test in 2010-11, so that all states host a match, which would also require Australia playing six tests when they tour England.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is also keen to change its Ashes tour of Australia to avoid them leading into a World Cup campaign, such as what has happened the past two tours.
Gilchrist said there was no guarantee extending an Ashes series would enhance the campaign.
"Six in 2005 would have enhanced it greatly, six last (summer) may have dragged on a bit," he said.
"You don't know what the competition's going to be like, the previous 18 years prior to 2005 you'd say six would have been too many, but you just don't know ... I'm sure each state would like a test match."
- AAP
