Born in 1971, now a giant

NEW DELHI, Feb 28, 2007 (AFP) - When a rain-ruined Test between Australia and England in 1971 resulted in the first one-day international at Melbourne, few believed that this new form of cricket would become a global, money-spinning affair.





Cricket: Born 1971, one-day cricket grows into giant The first one-dayer was not a pre-planned affair as it was arranged on the last scheduled day of the rain-hit Test to appease the public.

It was an instant success, attracting nearly 46,000 spectators to the MCG.

It was a 40-overs-a-side match with eight balls in an over and played more like Test cricket because one-day specialists, like Australian Michael Bevan, were to arrive decades later.

It was just a coincidence that the game was played between the same opponents at the same venue where Test cricket began.

The winners were also the same - Australia.

Ray Illingworth's England were all out for 190 after being put in to bat, with John Edrich top-scoring with 82 off 119 balls with just four fours.

Australia never looked in trouble, riding on Ian Chappell's half-century to win by five wickets.

His brother and India's current coach, Greg, remained unbeaten with 22.

The authorities, however, were slow to wake up to th