In an era obsessed with sixes and 90-minute thrillers, the 50-over game is often dismissed as the forgotten middle child of cricket. With the T20 World Cup looming large, a short bilateral ODI series between India and New Zealand might seem like little more than a warm-up act—a box-ticking exercise with minimal stakes. But don’t tell that to Will Young.
The New Zealand top-order batter, fresh off a stellar Test summer where he notched two centuries against India, is adamant that the ODI format still carries immense weight. “People might think this series doesn’t matter,” Young recently said, “but we’ve got two major ICC tournaments coming up—the ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy. Every game counts.” His message is clear: writing off ODIs isn’t just lazy—it’s a strategic mistake.
Table of Contents
- From Test Hero to ODI Contender
- Will Young ODI: A Format Far From Dead
- The ICC Roadmap: Why ODIs Still Matter
- Young’s ODI Record and the Path Forward
- Fantasy Cricket and Team Implications
- Conclusion: Redefining Value in Modern Cricket
- Sources
From Test Hero to ODI Contender
Will Young’s recent Test performances have been nothing short of transformative. In the home series against India, he emerged as New Zealand’s most reliable batter, scoring 137 in the first Test and 103 in the second—becoming only the third Kiwi to score twin tons against India . His technique, temperament, and ability to anchor an innings drew widespread praise and cemented his place as a mainstay in the red-ball side.
But translating that success to the white-ball arena has been a different challenge. While solid, Young’s ODI career (averaging in the mid-30s) hasn’t yet mirrored his Test dominance . Now, with a three-match ODI series at hand, he sees a golden opportunity to bridge that gap. “My Test form gives me confidence,” he noted, “but I know ODI cricket demands a different mindset—calculated aggression, smart rotation, and building partnerships quickly” .
Will Young ODI: A Format Far From Dead
Young’s defense of the 50-over game comes at a critical juncture. Franchise leagues and T20 internationals dominate headlines, and even national boards sometimes treat bilateral ODIs as secondary. But Young argues this is short-sighted. “The ODI World Cup is still the pinnacle for many of us,” he insists. “And the Champions Trophy is coming back in 2025—it’s a massive event” .
He’s not alone. Veteran players like Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson have repeatedly emphasized the unique strategic depth of ODI cricket—a format that blends endurance with explosiveness. It’s a sentiment echoed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has reaffirmed its commitment to the 50-over game as a core pillar of the international calendar .
The ICC Roadmap: Why ODIs Still Matter
Looking ahead, the ODI landscape is packed with high-stakes events:
- ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Returning after an eight-year hiatus, this elite eight-team tournament will be held in Pakistan and the UAE .
- ICC Cricket World Cup 2027: Already in the qualification phase, with teams jockeying for position in the Super League standings.
- World Cup Qualifiers: For associate nations, ODIs are the primary pathway to global recognition and funding.
Every ODI now contributes to ICC rankings and World Cup qualification points. In this context, a “meaningless” bilateral series is a myth. As Young puts it, “These games are our lab. We test combinations, build momentum, and earn crucial ranking points. You can’t afford to switch off.”
Young’s ODI Record and the Path Forward
At 32, Will Young knows his window in international cricket isn’t infinite. To secure a spot in New Zealand’s ODI World Cup squad, he needs to deliver consistent performances now. His role is likely to be that of a stabilizing No. 3 or 4—someone who can see off the new ball and set a platform for the likes of Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell to accelerate.
His recent domestic form in the Ford Trophy (New Zealand’s domestic 50-over competition) has been promising, including a match-winning 98 against Central Districts . If he can replicate even 70% of his Test composure in these ODIs, he could be the anchor New Zealand desperately needs in the middle order. [INTERNAL_LINK:new-zealand-odi-squad-analysis] dives deeper into team dynamics and selection battles.
Fantasy Cricket and Team Implications
For fantasy cricket managers, Young represents a high-floor, moderate-ceiling pick. He may not blast 150 off 75 balls, but his ability to bat through 40+ overs makes him a reliable source of points via runs and dot balls avoided. In real-world terms, his success could reshape New Zealand’s batting order, potentially pushing Devon Conway down or allowing Finn Allen to open more freely.
Conclusion: Redefining Value in Modern Cricket
Will Young’s stance on the ODI format is more than just personal ambition—it’s a necessary corrective to the narrative that only T20 cricket matters. In a world racing toward shorter formats, his voice reminds us that depth, patience, and strategic nuance still have a place in the game. Whether he can translate his red-ball mastery into white-ball success remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: he won’t be treating this series as a dead rubber. And if he delivers, he might just force the rest of the cricketing world to pay attention to the enduring power of the 50-over game.
Sources
- Times of India: Will Young looks to reprise Test high in ODI series
- ESPNCricinfo Player Profile: Will Young Stats & Records
- New Zealand Cricket: Test Series Performance Highlights
- ICC Official Website: Champions Trophy 2025 Announcement
- ESPNcricinfo: Ford Trophy 2025–26 Scorecard