Sir Donald Bradman needs little introduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cricket \u2013 and possibly world sport\u2019s \u2013 most dominant figure, \u201cThe Don\u201d is known for his staggering batting feats, including a scarcely believable batting average of 99.94, and his leadership of Australia\u2019s 1948 team nicknamed the \u201cInvincibles\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, few would know Bradman was a key figure behind cricket\u2019s transformation from time-consuming five-day matches to the chaotic world of one-day and Twenty20 (T20) games that dominate the sport\u2019s calendar, broadcasts and finances today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it was all sparked by Melbourne\u2019s oft-criticised weather, some worried bean-counters, and a bright idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Domestic one-day matches of between 40 and 60 overs a side had been played in India and England since the 1950s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These shorter, more dynamic games were aimed at attracting new spectators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, they had not been considered for international matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first one-day international (ODI) in 1971 was an accident: an unscheduled match played as a last-minute replacement for a Test abandoned due to heavy rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n