Twenty20 novelty factor will wear off quickly
Roar Guru By David Wiseman, 19 Jun 2009 David Wiseman is a Roar Guru
Related coverage
The Netherlands cricket team celebrate after defeating England in their Twenty20 World Cup cricket match at Lord's cricket ground in London, Friday, June, 5, 2009. AP Photo/Alastair Grant
Two months of non-stop Twenty20 cricket is going to come to an end this weekend and I am thrilled about that. Let’s be honest, Twenty20 is nothing more than fluff, and as the over-saturation of it continues, the novelty factor of it is going to dissipate more and more.
It is clear that the men on top of the cricketing food chain are motivated by greed and this is going to shape the future of cricket.
They are going to want to have more and more Twenty20 tournaments.
The first Twenty20 Champions League is happening at the end of the year and there are plans to expand the IPL from eight teams to ten.
While the games are happening, they are nothing more than wallpaper, something to keep us entertained in the here and now. They are nothing to stand the test of time, though.
Who is going to remember what happened in this year’s IPL tournament two months from now?
What the powers that be need to appreciate is that the two other forms of the game give Twenty20 its impetus. The icing on the cake is nice, but who wants to eat a bowlful of icing?
If certain administrators believe that Twenty20 cricket has the ability to stand on its own two feet, they are badly mistaken. It would survive for a while, only to implode.
The Ashes is the cornerstone of cricket.
The first 30 Test matches played were between Australia and England. Some of the greatest feats in world cricket has been produced in the cauldron which is Ashes cricket.
I’m talking about Jim Laker’s 19 wickets, Charles Bannerman’s 165 on debut, and Australia chasing down 404 at Headingley.
Could Australia’s lack of success at Twenty20 be connected in some way to the fact that they aren’t fully behind the concept? That to do well at it would only grant it further currency? That in some way, they are trying to protect Test cricket?
Who knows what is going to happen.
Whichever way you look at it, there are no obvious solutions. Just don’t look to the ICC for answers, because that is the last place you will find them.
Recommend this story.
- Explore:
- Cricket, International Cricket, IPL, The Ashes, Twenty20, Twenty20 Champions League
June 19th 2009 @ 3:34pm
Spencer said | June 19th 2009 @ 3:34pm | Report comment
Brian – What would your odds be if England and Australia played 10 x T20 matches. Surely 5/5, as it is very much like tossing a coin.
It is blatantly obvious that the shorter the game the lesser factor skill and tactics become. Why not take it to the ultimate and have 66. Each team has six players, and each player bowls 1 ball each.
T20 is a “quick fix” for fidgety people in the crowd to have a party. But it is NOT cricket. I agree with Vinay : “Let’s take their money”.
BTW – I don’t regard Ashes series as the pinnacle of the game of cricket. All test cricket is the pinnacle of the game. The Ashes may have the most history; however it does not mean the best 2 teams are playing. Neither do you need the best 2 teams playing to have a great test match.
June 19th 2009 @ 5:17pm
Justin said | June 19th 2009 @ 5:17pm | Report comment
T20 is here and unfortunately there is going to be too much of it. Thats my main gripe looking at the future. 3 other countries want an IPL. How can we fit it in? To me the great thing about the IPL is that players from countries other than AUS can earn great money which should ensure they are available for their Test team.
I would love to see tests continuing (with suspensions for slow over rates, varying pitches around the world and also 100 overs per day like the SS in AUS) and a drop in ODIs to accommodate T20.
June 19th 2009 @ 5:37pm
vinay verma said | June 19th 2009 @ 5:37pm | Report comment
Justin thats a pretty balanced approach. Even for Test matches the amenities for spectators in Australia are overpriced and not value for money. In India the amenities are woeful and the administrators are making an effort to upgrade stadiums. But for all their money the BCCI have been tardy in looking after the punters.
Have you seen the long queues for the Members at the SCG? Some hardy sould line up at 4AM to ensure they get a vantage point. The mad scramble as veterans and aged pensioners get trampled in the rush. Test Spectators,the lifeblood of cricket,ought to be better looked after. There are obviously more members then there are seats. That is greed.
June 19th 2009 @ 6:41pm
Working Class Rugger said | June 19th 2009 @ 6:41pm | Report comment
I rather enjoy T20 Cricket. I also enjoy Test Cricket. ODI’s have at least in my opinion run there course. They brought a new element of excitment and professionalism to the game but it’s time to move on. T20 Cricket is ODI’s next evolutionary step. And its the perfect product to move Cricket into new markets.
Though I do agree with T20 being primarily being a domestic league game. Say if Australia did in fact establish it’s own IPL like competition it should include the current State teams plus Canberra and New Zealand’s top 5 or 6 domestic sides. The only international element to T20 should be a annual Champions League and a four yearly WC. More endless internationals that have devalued ODI’s to such a great degree.