Jacob Oram: Pace of change has transformed game

AB de Villiers of South Africa. Photo / Getty Images

I've been out of the game for only two years but already one-day cricket has transformed massively since then.

The new rules have played a part - two new balls and one fewer fielder outside the 30m circle - but it's so much more than that.

Batsmen initiated the change and are more skilled and confident about accessing the boundaries through things like ramps, reverses and the use of their feet. Look at Brendon McCullum, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell, they're willing to come down to the bowler or try a reverse from the second ball.

Bowlers can't just land the ball back of a length at 125km/h any more because pitches are too flat and batsmen too good.

They either have to be quick (above 140km/h) or move the ball and New Zealand have the benefit of two guys in Trent Boult and Tim Southee who can do both and Adam Milne who is express pace.

I wouldn't have survived today. I would have had to find another 5-10km/h, or developed the ability to consistently move the ball.

Captains have also evolved. They have slips for longer - and McCullum even had four for a time against England - leg slips or guys under the helmet. They realise that if they don't take wickets, then they could be staring at a big total.

In 1975, for the first World Cup, there were only four scores above 300 (and they were 60-over games). In 2011, there were 17. Already we've seen 24 and we haven't even reached the knockout stages.

Since the fielding restriction rule change in 2012, the average run rate over the last 10 overs in an ODI has increased by more than three runs an over to nearly 11. Fans don't pay to watch maidens being bowled.

They're also seeing athletes throwing themselves around in the field - there aren't many overweight donkeys roaming the boundaries now.

It feels like all these developments have had a snowball effect and it's been a shot in the arm for the one-day game. Fans love it and most players - a few bowlers might not agree - are also enjoying the resurgence.

There was a feeling before the 2011 World Cup that one-dayers were fading but there's a real buzz about the game now. Maybe it's the World Cup but the way teams are approaching one-dayers has seen it overtake Twenty20s.

I still think there is a place for T20 cricket. We will probably see it turn into a predominantly franchise-based game but there's still room for a T20 World Cup and the occasional international. A T20 World Cup allows T20 specialists to showcase what they can do.