In 1974, when Kerry Packer took over Channel Nine after his father’s death, he believed sports on the network would increase the network’s popularity, which was declining.
He offered AU$1.5 million to the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) to get broadcasting rights for Australia’s home test matches for 3 years.
But ACB gave the rights (at 7 times less money) to government-run Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), stating ABC’s loyalty (ABC had been airing cricket for 20 years).
Packer, frustrated, started his own professional cricket competition in 1977 – World Series Cricket (WSC).
For WSC, he secretly signed the best players across various countries at salaries higher than most would have made in their entire careers.
The secret signings got leaked in the media and the issue was escalated to ICC (World cricket’s governing body) because several countries were involved.
ICC decided that Packer’s competition wouldn’t be given ‘official’ status and all players signed by him will be banned from playing official cricket.
When some players panicked and began withdrawing their contracts, Packer took ICC to court, which declared the verdict in Packer’s favour; players could now play in both WSC and official international teams.
WSC, which was initially seen as an entertainment-package (and not a serious competition) got attention when a bouncer by WI bowler Andy Roberts broke an Australian’s batsman David Hookes’ jaw-bone.
So, helmets (initially motorcycle helmets) were introduced to the game.
Since competition was not sanctioned by ICC, it didn’t draw huge crowds, however, one match that was played under floodlights gathered decent numbers.
This introduced the concept of day-night matches to international cricket because people could watch the matches after work, and hence the viewership was higher.
With day/night cricket, came the white ball so that the players and audience could see it against the night sky, but the white clothing still remained a problem and hence coloured clothing came in.
Increased focus on One-Day Internationals is also attributed to WSC.
