The growth of Twenty20 cricket has raised serious questions over the utility of the 50-over game, and concerns for its future. Though it is still the currency of the two main ICC tournaments, some boards have already shortened their domestic format. Suggestions for change have been plenty and even the ICC is thinking about tweaking the format.
Nov 15, 2009: TV ratings bring good news for 50-over cricket | Nov 2, 2009: Richard Hadlee fears for player burn-out
A 2003 European Union ruling on the right of a Slovakian handball player to play in Germany has had a massive impact on English county cricket. It created an opening for players from countries with trade agreements with the EU (in effect South Africa, Zimbabwe and some Caribbean countries) to bypass the limits on overseas players and sign for counties. A trickle became a flood, and by 2008 there were more than 60 Kolpak cricketers in England, causing debate and acrimony between counties with arguments that their presence weakened English cricket. Click here for a more in-depth explanation.
Nov 13, 2009: Craig Kieswetter reiterates England desire | Jun 11, 2008: Glamorgan's Kolpak-free future?
Cricket has never stopped evolving: from round-arm bowling becoming the standard, to the 15-degree rule for arm flexion while bowling. From the number of balls per over to the specifications of equipment - ranging from glove-webbing to bat handles - almost every aspect of the game is regulated. New rules are frequently put in place - especially in the shorter forms of the game, as in the case of Powerplays, free hits, and the tweaking of field restrictions.
Nov 2, 2009: Richard Hadlee fears for player burn-out | Oct 4, 2009: England drop plans for day-night Test
The relationship between West Indian players and their board has been rocky since 2005, largely over a new contract with Digicel. The situation has flared up sporadically with isolated strikes and considerable ill-will and reached a flashpoint in July 2009, when the entire first-choice team pulled out of a home Test series against Bangladesh .
Oct 29, 2009: Gayle to learn captaincy fate next week | Oct 20, 2009: Sarwan eager to get back in national colours
For a game as steeped in tradition as cricket is, the question of how much to rely on technology is a perennial - especially when it comes to applications like HawkEye and the Snickometer. Increasingly the rules of the game are being tweaked to allow for referrals to the third umpire on matters that were previously the purview of the on-field officials
Oct 26, 2009: Tendulkar favours no referrals but more technology | Oct 13, 2009: Why umpiring reviews are flawed
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