It is probably one of the most serendipitous innovations in cricket, born out of what might have turned out to be a complete washout of Test cricket. An England-Australia Test match at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 5, 1971, ironically went on to deliver one of the most revolutionary cricketing formats of all time-the ODI. This fortuitous invention would evolve into one of the most successful and celebrated forms of cricket, altering how the game was played, viewed, and even celebrated around the world. The Accidental Birth of ODI Cricket Image Source : ESPN During the 1970-71 Ashes series, incessant rain washed away the first three days of the third Test, resulting in huge losses to the Australian cricket board. There was a lot of frantic discussion on both sides involving cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman, culminating in a decision that changed cricket's history for ever. And this was something startlingly simple: a one-day match on what would have been the fifth day of the Test match. Later England captain Ray Illingworth remembered the two sides as saying: "We'd spent so long in the dressing room that we were just grateful for a game." Such gratitude soon changed to enthusiasm when the two teams were gearing up for something that would represent a totally different genre of international cricket. It was labeled locally as the "Little Test" while the telecasts labeled it the "International Knock Out Match." Neither truly appreciated the depth of history as this game about to take place. Also Read | Top Highest Run Chases in ODI Cricket History The Format's First Form Image Source : Getty Images The first ODI cricket match was played under a format quite different from what we have today. The teams agreed to play 40 overs per side, with each over consisting of eight balls - a far cry from the modern ODI cricket format of 50 overs. The bowlers were restricted to one-fifth of the total overs, meaning no bowler could deliver more than eight overs. A concept then was that the game would be won purely by runs scored without consideration for the number of wickets remaining. The absence of field restrictions, which are now a fundamental part of ODI cricket, meant captains had complete freedom in field placement. This created a fascinating tactical battle as both teams tried to adapt their Test cricket strategies to this abbreviated format. The lack of powerplay regulations and batting restrictions created a unique environment where teams had to develop new strategies on the fly. The Historic First Match Image Source : Getty Images The opening ODI cricket game attracted an incredible attendance of 46,000 people to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, some 4,000 more than the attendance over five days of the first Test in Brisbane. This surprised crowd bode well for the popularity of the format. The hastily sponsored game by Rothmans tobacco company was put down in the records as MCC vs. Australia since the game wasn't considered a fully-fledged international match. Australia, under Bill Lawry’s leadership, won the toss and elected to field first on a rain-affected outfield. England’s John Edrich, who wasn’t even supposed to play but was drafted in as a last-minute replacement for the injured Brian Luckhurst, created history by scoring the first ODI fifty. His innings of 82 runs off 119 balls became the cornerstone of England’s batting effort, though the entire English innings managed only seven boundaries due to the sluggish outfield conditions. Notable Milestones and Performances Image Source : Getty Images The match was filled with historic firsts that would become trivia questions for generations to come. Alan Thomson claimed the first ODI wicket when he had Geoffrey Boycott caught by a diving Bill Lawry at mid-wicket. It was also John Edrich and Keith Fletcher who produced the format's first fifty-run stand, adding 66 runs together. The most explosive moment came when Ian Chappell stepped out to dispatch Ray Illingworth over long-on for the very first six in ODI cricket. Australian spinner Ashley Mallett, who at one stage thought the match "a bit of a joke", ended with impressive figures of 3/34. Keith Stackpole, renowned mainly as a batsman, surprisingly claimed 3/40 with his occasional off-spin. The Australian chase was methodical. Ian Chappell and Doug Walters forged crucial 66 runs. Walters's aggressive 41 off 51 balls that included six boundaries proved decisive for Australia's successful pursuit of the target. The Evolution and Growth Image Source : Getty Images Within four years after the first-ever match, the ODI format of cricket gained a wide following around the cricketing world after a successful debut. The success paved the way for the first-ever Cricket World Cup in 1975. Such a transformation from an emergency solution to a premium cricket format established the adaptability of cricket and the fans' hunger for a more compact game. First 10 ODI Matches in History Date Teams Venue Winner Margin Jan 5, 1971 Australia vs England MCG, Melbourne Australia 5 wickets Aug 24, 1972 England vs Australia Edgbaston England 2 wickets Sep 2, 1972 England vs Australia Lord’s England 3 wickets Feb 11, 1973 New Zealand vs Pakistan Christchurch New Zealand 22 runs Feb 13, 1973 New Zealand vs Pakistan Dunedin Pakistan 7 wickets Feb 17, 1973 New Zealand vs Pakistan Wellington Pakistan 4 wickets Mar 31, 1973 West Indies vs Pakistan Kingston West Indies 1 wicket Apr 5, 1973 West Indies vs Pakistan Port of Spain Pakistan 7 wickets Apr 11, 1973 West Indies vs Pakistan Bridgetown West Indies 2 wickets Jul 13, 1974 England vs India Leeds England 4 wickets The Modern ODI Cricket Era Image Source : Associated Press The modern version of ODI cricket has very little in common with that match in 1971. There are 50 overs for each side and six balls per over. Some other modern developments are high-tech field restrictions, multiple powerplays, and the use of two new balls. DRS has been used to bring in some degree of justice to decision-making. Free hits for no-balls have brought a new flavor of batting. There is, of course, the innovative use of fielding restrictions and powerplay rules, both of which changed the game itself. With these changes came a rise in scoring rates as well as the trend to attack more freely in every innings. The modern ODI batsman is expected to begin to score much quicker compared to their predecessors, whereas bowling techniques have had to evolve to incorporate myriad defensive and attacking scenarios to remain fit for purpose. Impact on Professional Cricket Image Source : Associated Press The advent of ODI cricket has affected cricket in many ways. This format has shaped techniques of the player, methods of training, and even the strategy to be applied on the ground. Today, cricketers have to play with all-round ability so that their game remains compatible with each other format, for which ODI cricket plays the middle path between Test cricket and T20, demanding explosiveness. The financial aspect of ODI cricket was also a key one. It was through the format that cricket finally transitioned to the television age, bringing it to more global eyes and further commercial prospects that have helped hike the players' salaries and shape the game to its professional standard. Also Read | Most Hundreds in ODI Cricket: Record Holders and Statistical Analysis Conclusion From being an act of desistance to try and save a rain-hit Test, it has become the most exciting version for cricket lovers. The ODI game, more than any other thing, stays appropriately placed between Test cricket, with its tradition, and T20, which is an adrenalin affair. In a decade and a half, it is hard to imagine international cricket going ahead without ODI. The accidental innovation of 1971 has left its indelible mark on the history of cricket, proving that sometimes the greatest changes come from the most unsuspected circumstances.