The ICC looks all geared up to spice up the 50-over format with the rampaging popularity of T20 threatening to spell doom.

ICC General Manager of Cricket Dave Richardson fears the latest bombardment of T20 cricket may result in cricket fans turning their backs on the 50-over format. Therefore, he believes the 50-over game may have to pave way for 40-over matches or even two innings of 20 overs each.

"The goal is to preserve all three formats. We have to preserve Test cricket as the pinnacle of the game. But are people willing to watch a 50-over game when T20 promises more action in less time? That is the challenge," Richardson told 'The Week' in an interview.

"So we are looking at two fresh options. We still feel broadcasters need content for seven hours...We need to get balance right and tinker with the 50-over format," he said.

Richardson said the 50-over game has seen massive changes over the years and there could be new experiments on the format.

"The general feeling amongst cricketers is that the 50-over edition is not sacrosanct like Test cricket. It started off with 60 overs and then dropped to 55 and 50. Some countries are experimenting with 40 and 45 overs. The new proposals are firmly on the agenda. We will not promise anything, but it will be looked at quite seriously," he said.

The former South African wicketkeeper did not see reason in so many One Day tournaments throughout the year.

"I suppose you could say there were too many meaningless ODIs. They were generating revenue, but were of no consequence. Apart from World Cup it did not make a difference. The rankings upped a little bit, but not enough. There is a proposal to create some context for those ODI series," he said.

Richardson, however, was also against an overdoze of T20.

"The ICC believes that T20 is the saviour of domestic games and will leave it at the domestic level. The policy is that T20 should bloom in the domestic league and be played at a limited scale internationally. We do not want to kill the golden goose," he said.