ICC strongly defends ODI format

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday strongly defended the ODI format despite calls for it to be scrapped.
"The countries have been still scheduling multi number of ODIs in their Future Tours Programme (FTP). You won't see any significant changes in the number of or proportion of ODIs in the next FTP," Geoff Allardice, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ICC, said on Wednesday, reports Cricbuzz.
Ben Stokes recently quit the ODI format, stating that playing three formats was unsustainable. There have been many who have questioned the relevance of 50-over cricket, with Wasim Akram recently calling for the scrapping of ODIs.
The ICC assertion comes a day after its annual conference ended in Birmingham and in the backdrop of countries preferring franchise-based T20 leagues and South Africa deciding to forfeit early next year's Super League points against Australia in preference for its yet to be launched T20 league.
The ICC has indicated that the three-match ODI series between South Africa and Australia may still happen.
Allardice claimed that the members are fully committed to the FTP and international and bilateral cricket was as strong as it's ever been.
One of the points of discussion is whether ICC chairman Greg Barclay will seek re-election and the New Zealander said he is a contender.