Twenty20 offers best value entertainment
Roar Guru
By Michael C, 18 Jan 2010 Michael C is a Roar Guru
On Friday night, I headed straight from work and met my wife and kids – who caught a train in – at the MCG.
From under the Leigh Matthews statue outside gate four, we headed in, grabbed a seat behind the non-existent Punt Rd goals, and fed up on overpriced hot food along with the chips and choccies we had brought in.
It was a footy-like atmosphere. A good crowd was building up, a bit like an early season game in March or a balmy August late season game.
The difference – this was for the cricket.
It had roughly a 3-hour time commitment, and the atmosphere of an evening game. It wasn’t too late, so you could take the kids.
And it was cheap. A family of 4 for only $25 and our littlest was free and didn’t get registered in the crowd total.
As for the game, well, the Vics got up pretty easily in the end. Tassie looked like setting nearer 200, Tim Paine showed his absolute class (the sooner he’s an Australian regular the better).
But Cameron White kept switching his bowlers around and didn’t let the Tassie bats settle. Finally, the wickets started falling regularly.
The Vics chase was almost script perfect. Local hero Brad Hodge made 90, and fell only in trying to eek out the last 10 for the 100 out of the, at that point, only about 14 more needed for the win.
43,125 was the official crowd, most stood to applaud Hodgey off the MCG. In the end, the twenty20 format delivered in a very meaningful way. It delivered a fitting tribute to a fine servant of Victorian cricket.
And we then headed home, via a packed car park, pretty content in a great night out. There were wickets, 4s and 6s, a bit of music, some gas-fired flamers when a 6 was scored, and fireworks at the end of the night. It wasn’t all tradition, but then, I was there for a day of the Boxing day test and that delivered in its own way too.
Cricket is much the better for these two forms of the game.
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LeftArmSpinner said | January 18th 2010 @ 6:16am | Report comment
I look forward to the response to the Sydney siders who went to Homebush and got a 9/9 game and then a 20/9 game. Hmmmmm. Best value???? I think not in this case.
Tinnie said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:11am | Report comment
I went to those games and still thought they were great value. MC commented that he got his family in for just $25, compared to the $200-$250 range he would be paying for the international equivalent, the state version is very affordable for everyone and i’ll argue just as entertaining.
The atmosphere alone was great, the mexican wave did something like six odd laps at one stage, lol. Also never seen so many kids tearing about the place enjoying themselves. The kids also still get to see the players they recognise, Warner, Tiat, Hughes, Symonds, ect. The guest players are a great inclusion as well, i wouldnt be surprised if Gayle had played at Homebush, another coupla thousand spectators rocked up
Mick from Giralang said | January 18th 2010 @ 6:30am | Report comment
Michael. Nice article. Whatever the traditionalists ( and I’m one) feel about 20-20 people are voting with their feet and remotes for it. Anything that brings people back to domestic cricket is a good thing, in my view. And in my association with junior cricket, I know the kids absolutely love playing it and it’s encouraging more of them to try the game.. It’s here to stay, and I see it as a way of attracting more people to the game, rather than a threat to the more traditional forms.
vinay verma said | January 18th 2010 @ 6:50am | Report comment
Michael,I maintain Twenty20 is a double edged sword. On the one hand it can deliver revenue to sustain the longer form and yet on the other side it can cannabalise the longer form. First Class cricket(three and four days) produces the cricketers that play Test Cricket. These are the pedigreed players that are in demand in the IPL. The IPL is not a finishing school but rather a theatre where only the best command the highest fees. The Dhonis,Pontings,Pietersens,Tendulkar et al.
If the current generation is force fed a diet of fizzy drinks and sugar coated doughnuts we will end up with Krispy Creme Crciketers. Can you see David Warner playing a Boxing Day Test?
The Big Bash (a baseball slugathon) has marquee players in Bravo,Afridi,Pollard,Gayle,Vettori and Naved . We have seen in the two series,Windies and Pakistan,that these teams cannot sustain their cricket beyond three hours. They will win a session or two but over four or five days they dont have the discipline to compete with Australia. Too much Twenty20 will ruin all three forms of the game. The administrators need to strike a balance. The ICC is committed to the 50 over game through to 2015. England have reverted to 40 overs. There is a fragmentation occuring that is not good for cricket in general.
Just as the 50 over game speeded up Test Cricket the Twenty20 can do the same for ODI’s and Tests. The slow over rates and time wasting in Test Cricket is a blight on the game. And shortchanging the spectator. Pricing of tickets and quality of food continue to drag Test Cricket down.
The shorter form is giving more employment to ex cricketers like Kasper and Blewett and this cannot be bad. Balance is the key.
Twenty20 is the Twitter of cricket. Popular but does it have any meaning?
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:05am | Report comment
Does T20 have any meaning – – stand alone. Not really.
However, one of the main points I tried to convey was the send off that Hodgey got. 40,000 + applauding (most standing) at the MCG as he departed one of his last digs for the Vics at the ‘G (he’s got Wed Feb 10 FRC vs NSW – somehow I don’t see 40,000 at that one.).
Suddenly, the meaning of the evening was not what T20 presented stand alone,
but, what it added to the overall cricket ‘landscape’. It offered a guy like Brad Hodge just a tad of icing on his cake. It also gave a young guy like Aaron FInch the chance to bat infront of 40,000 at the ‘G rather than 1500.
You’re absolutely right – balance IS the key.
But, considering 3 years ago in the soccer – MVFC hosted Sydney and drew 50,000. Some foresaw the domestic soccer going clearly to number 1 over summer. But, something happened on the way to heaven….as Phil Collins might say……and now, we have the Domestic T20 as the ‘buzz’ sport of summer, and MVFC hosting SFC at Docklands has fallen to sum 30K (still good, but – - – not what would’ve been expect from 2-3 years earlier for a top of the table clash). T20 is invaluable now in pushing even domestic cricket to the ‘lead sports story’ ahead of the domestic soccer.
Towser said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:23am | Report comment
Talking of balance lets balance up the odds of T20 being around as long as test cricket has. It was around when I was a lad & around when my grandad was a lad. His prized possession was the Wisden in his private cupboard.
Given that T20 is a product of the “attention span of a flea on heat” generation,whats the chances of it being around in 150 years?
If its gone as soon as it appeared,whats it added to the game of cricket?
Now balance on the football side. The match MVFC vs SFC that drew 50,000 was the “traditional” version. The equivalent of test cricket if you like. So comparisons with T20 are incorrect.
Secondly 50,000 was never sustainable ,given the youth of the A-League & the quality of football on display.
So from a football fans perspective 30,000 is more realistic . Even that, if you start to consider overseas leagues of greater quality, can be considered higher than expected.
So test cricket & the A-League will be judged on the traditions,values & quality of over 150 years of their sport.
Both sports have plenty of past history, to measure what is before them at present.
Whats T20 going to judge itself by. Nothing except the previous “instant satisfaction”form of cricket.
You see the pattern here. 50 over matches ,not entertaining enough. Bring in T20.
T20 not entertaining enough, bring in T10 with a shovel. T10 not entertaining enough, bring in T5, with 2 batsmen, 2 shovels, 4 bowlers & 5 fielders recruited from the 100 metre olympic team,wearing giant velcro gloves.
Oh forgot,the ball, metal to give a greater”clanging “sound effect & the spectators force fed “kreamy donuts” from giant tubes suspended from the roof of the stadium.
Redb said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Not really, many soccer fans have argued that domestic cricket is the equivalent of domestic soccer (A League).
MC’s point is valid, Twenty20 is seizing the summer sporting agenda for cricket. This is not a crack at the A League, Melb Victory are still getting a regular 20K which will probably go up to average 25-30K for Victory matches at the new stadium.
But around 2 years ago, you could tell the crowd interest was levellling off, as the subsequent Melb V Syd clashes in the A League had crowds of 30-35K, and mostly recently about 27K.
For domestic crikcet to pull 40K against Tassie shows Twenty20 cricket is the big thing at the moment. I’d suggest next year it wil be bigger, but tracking its popularity after that is anyones guess.
If the Bushrangers host the final at the MCG, they will 60-70K.
Redb
AndyRoo said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:31am | Report comment
20/20 looks set to save domestic cricket. Good on cricket for getting it’s act together domestically.
It’s clearly on the cards to get bigger with non state teams like Gold Coast coming on board. At the moment it’s only 2 or 3 games per state at home in an entire year and as Michael C pointed out it’s cheap as chips. Michael C paid less for a family than I paid for a single ticket for the Roar vs GCU too sit in the lowest or second lowest category of seats. The A league isn’t going to disappear, this extra competition will hopefully just encourage the FFA to raise the bar.
Personally since the A league is played in Summer I am not crying out for more sport to watch so I am not going to start watching 20/20’s as it’s the opposite of what I like about cricket. The cheapness of the runs and wickets just doesn’t do it for me, but if you don’t like football (which plenty don’t) then I am sure it will fill a void.
Redb said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:44am | Report comment
Twenty20 is great for kids though, plenty of runs and wickets, live at the ground a real show.
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:45am | Report comment
the big thing that was apparent where we were on Friday night – was the number of young kids.
Reality is for the under 7s – a ODI takes too long. Even with the T20, the kids are getting very restless by half way thru the 2nd inns – - for me, I let them know that it’s like 3/4 time in the footy and not long to go.
If the Vics still played the odd shield match at the Junction Oval – I’d take the kids to that, and we’d have a hit on the grassy embankment. The MCG doesn’t permit that. So, for now – in the Victorian context – T20 at the MCG for 2.5-3 hours – - is the MOST family friendly state cricket available.
This is where Cricket has a nice array of TIME based offerings. 1 day matches (esp the day/night games), 4/5 day 1st class/test matches and part day (3 hour) matches.
I’d still love to see the domestic T20 ‘own’ the Friday night slot over summer.
re attention spans, a T20 still runs longer than a Rugby /soccer match. About the same time commitment as an AFL game. For me, as an AFL attendee – the time amount feels kind of ‘just right’.
AndyRoo said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:58am | Report comment
No doubt.
I was just stating personal preference but with Cricket’s no longer my number one summer sport I know I am in the minority. Give it 3 or 4 years and I think it will become more serious (in a good way) and much less forgettable. I think most players were a bit reluctant about it at first but the huge crowds have won them over. They had Cameron White on MMM and it’s clear the players (especially those who aren’t internationals) enjoy the crowds.
I still follow test cricket because I feel it means something but can’t remember the last time I watched any one day cricket.
In the late 90’s I went too 2 NSW one day games. One was at the SCG and had us all in one bay and was a real buzz killer. The other was at North Sydney oval and was a much better day out, so I always thought their was some potential their.
Jay said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:08am | Report comment
Agree with the majority of the comments here.
T20′s will help domestic cricket tremendously. Given the strength of our domestic competition, a spot in the champions trophy will almost guarantee a financial windfall for the winners/runners up.
Also the exapansion will help as more international player will be invitied (Warne might return as well) and hopefully, this will help emerging crickets stay in the game, as opposed going to RL/RU or AFL.
Keep a similar concept going, push for 3 team in the champions trophy, keep ticket prices low, have a limited number of games, get some games on FTA and flog the rest to India and Fox. That will subsidise other forms of the game and keep circket in a healty state.
On a side note – does anyone know how much Bravo/Gayle/Afridi etc are getting paid for their participation??
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:49am | Report comment
Jay -
we’ve seen a few comments of late implying cricketing/footballers as being more likely than recent years to opt to stick with cricket,
which included a small forward leggie from WA recently who opted OUT of the AFL draft.
Obviously in the past, there’ve been guys like S.O’Donnell, S.Warne and J.Siddons who opted for cricket.
Persently, it’s interesting young Alex Keath – made 88 yesterday in the U19s WC. He’s been nominated by GC17 as one of their 17 yr olds (free draft pick effectively) – but, is leaving his options open whilst focussing on studies this year.
Brett McKay said | January 18th 2010 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
by the way Red, SA will host the Final in Adelaide. Best Victoria can do (apart from winning it, obviously) is beat Qld in the Prelim and book a spot in the CLT20…
Redb said | January 19th 2010 @ 7:06am | Report comment
That’s a shame. Pity they cant put a drop in pitch at Football Park (AAMI).
Jay said | January 19th 2010 @ 9:47am | Report comment
I was thinking the same thing.. oh well, just have to wait for the redevelopment of the Adeliade Oval.
Jeff Dowsing said | January 18th 2010 @ 7:46am | Report comment
I reckon the volume of attendees and ratings is what gives any sport meaning.
Test cricket still has meaning of course, it has 140 years of history behind it and plenty still watch it. But it needs to quickly arrest the decline in interest around the world to survive because T20′s care factor is evidently building an undeniable momentum that is outstripping test cricket.
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 7:57am | Report comment
very true – and the thing about Test cricket is that all common sense says it shouldn’t still exist (as is – i.e. subject to rain/bad light and played over 5 days – thus, maximum 2 weekend days as part of that, etc etc). Day night test cricket really is a must.
Some have suggested effectively a return to the WSC super test style structures; I’m not so sure on that front, get’s a tad formularised.
vinay verma said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:25am | Report comment
Michael/Jeff, it is fitting that Brad Hodge got a decent send off. His treatment at the hands of the selectors has been disappointing. He should still be playing all three forms for Australia.
I also believe Test Cricket cannot remain rooted in the past. It must preserve the traditions but it also needs to understand that it needs to entertain. Cricketers need to also express themselves on and off the field. No more of this cliched “we have the momentum” Interviews are banal and personalities are bottled. Over rates and general time wasting changing gloves,calling for the physio etc should be banned. If you are hurt retire and come back later. Put in bigger sightscreens so batsmen dont hold up the game. Reduce ticket prices and let kids in free. Night cricket has to be trialled and become a reality. Pitches have to be more sporting. The one at the Wanderers had life and bounce. It leads to engrossing cricket. Pitches worldwide must come under the purview of the ICC. There has to be a minimum level of bounce and grass.
There is a lot to do and the strategy should be to find a home for all three forms. Because they all have something to offer.
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:47am | Report comment
totally agreed re the sight screens – I was thinking exactly that thing on Friday night.
(pitches wise – the best thing in Australia is when we have a recognisable ‘pitch’ style for the particular grounds – and a danger to that is too many sanitised drop in pitches. So, whilst some ‘regulation’ might be good – it’s got to not be too formulaic and allow for a variety, but, like all pitches – sometimes the best games come from a pitch that had interrupted preparation!!!).
Jay said | January 19th 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
Vinay – in regards to the pitches, I would like to see the ICC introduce a regulation regarding what criteria pitches must meet – certain level of grass covering and moisture that must be met. Too often, home pitches are produced to accomodate home teams or batsmen.
In the ABC commentary, Peter Robecuk mentioned just how much in favour of the batsmen test cricket has become. In the modern era, there are alot of batsmen averaging over 50 in tests (which was previously a benchmark for great batsmen). Today good batsmen meet this average very easily. In the 80′s there were only 3-5 batsment who had this average.. now its about 10+. While nothing has happened to the ball in over 60+ years.
To restore the balance, I think cricket should adopt any of the following:
1. Give to option to change the ball every 60 overs
2. Allow tampering
3. Introduce a ‘gel’ like substance which allows the bollowing team to really shine the ball
4. raise the seam or intoduce another line of thread on the ball.
That should even up the contest.
Brett McKay said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:42am | Report comment
Vinay, I’m not so sure I’d be likening T20 to Twitter any more. For one thing, T20 will still be around this time next year.
Great piece MC, I was astounded by the size and noise of the MCG crowd on Friday night, and for that full credit needs to go firstly to the schedule, for putting a Friday night game at the MCG, and secondly to the state players around the country for making the games so watchable this summer. I’ve been able to watch probably half the games this summer, and some of the batting and bowling on display has been outstanding. Cracking 40K is a massive achievement for the domestic game.
Now, if only Fri night games were shown on FTA telly….
Redb said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:00am | Report comment
40K against Tassie as well. It is really building momentum.
Cricket needs to bury one dayers and stick with Tests and Twenty20.
Redb
Towser said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:24am | Report comment
Redb
“Not really, many soccer fans have argued that domestic cricket is the equivalent of domestic soccer (A League).”
Domestic or Test cricket it is still the traditional version(unless domestic has also changed recently?) Traditional is the comparison in my post not whether its domestic or International.
Redb said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:33am | Report comment
From a strict game time perspective that maybe true, but the A League is the re-badged, not ethicially aligned ‘ new’ soccer aiming to reach new fans or bring back fans to the game, just like Twenty20 is similarly focused.
I would think the A League is a relatively new sporting addition like Twenty20 from a fan’s perspective.
Towser said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:46am | Report comment
Redb
“From a strict game time perspective that maybe true”
That is the angle I’m coming from.
Of course the A-league is new as a league but the version of the sport played is not . As opposed to T20 which is new in relation to test cricket.
But from a old competition, NSL(ethnically aligned) Vs new A-League(geographically aligned) perspective, then you are correct.
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:22am | Report comment
A couple of people have touched on the guest players,
they add another dimension.
Good question – how much are they getting paid?
and good dreamy point of how many more would’ve rocked up (Syd/Melb) for a game vs WA with Chris Gayle playing.
A full H&A tourney would be great – but, if over an extended period – some guests might need to come and go.
The nature of the state team plus 1 or 2 guests is nice. As distinct to the ‘franchise’ notion of the IPL.
The funny thing about T20 is that we often forget that it was kicked off in England and that Australia took a while to catch on!!!
Jay said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:27am | Report comment
In the future we could see Tendulkar, Flintoff, Oram, Pietersen come down under.. crowds will flock to it, but tickets MUST be kept at these prices. Important thing is not to overdo it either. One home and one away game against each opposition sounds reasonable.
Does anyone know how much the players are getting paid? I imagine Gayle would be on about 100k for a couple weeks worth of work.. not bad.
Justin said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:28am | Report comment
I thought I saw a figure of 50k for Bravo, could be wrong but it seems a good investment. I have no doubt the bumper crowds are due in part to the OS players and they would have covered the costs already.
The beauty of it is that WI and PAK players are here already or have to come here for the ODI tournies coming up. So they figure they may as well get some extra coin, get used to the conditions and not have to spend time going home and coming back. There is little else competing for their talents right now so you dont have to offer them the world to play.
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:35am | Report comment
I’ve often thought of the parallel of soccer and cricket on this front. The HAL for example – is a global minor domestic league and Australia is a global minnow in the world of soccer. THus, attracting top flight international players of non-Australian background is almost impossible (esp at a limited price).
IN cricket though – Australia is highly rated (re talent, re heritage, re standard of competition etc), and has probably the worlds best collection of cricket (footy) ovals, is safe (-ish) and outside of the IPL – the money is pretty good. And, unlike soccer – where the HAL has gone in line with the FIFA international calendar – thus ensuring that the HAL is up against the entire soccer world for talent – the summer months in Australia is off season for most the Northern Hemisphere teams.
Redb said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:30am | Report comment
The franchise players has given the Bigbash some X factor – smart move. Very much agree on retaining the majority as State reps.
A listener on SEN last week suggested that cricket Aus should consider approaching the AFL and have clubs field Twenty20 sides in full colours filled with Aust/imported cricket players to leverage off footy fans support for their club??
Essendon v Collingwood in a Twenty20 blockbuster might get a few bums on seats. Bombers will take Cameron White at least, maybe Gayle as well.
M1tch said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:34am | Report comment
hmm smells like a plan to get AFL on global stage
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:38am | Report comment
gawd….that’s left field……I’d rather not.
I’m not even so sure about the possible inclusion of Geelong/GoldCoast. I don’t mind this state based format. I’d rather just get that bedded into a full H&A season. Friday nights. Sheild game starts on the Saturday?? (perhaps too big an ask). Perhaps, T20 Friday night, and then the FRC follows up on the Sunday. Whilst around the country other teams are playing Shield matches.
Jay said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:36am | Report comment
I think the CA are moving towards an A-League type format. One team, one town with Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne teams rebranded from existing state teams (rightly or wrongly) and teams from the Gold Coast, Western Sydney and Geelong possibly entering.
But if would be great if they did leveage off existing footy brands. Brisbane Broncos CC v Collingwood Magpies CC – the two most recognisable brands in Australian sport from different codes.. now that would be something!
Working Class Rugger said | January 18th 2010 @ 6:40pm | Report comment
Jay
Read a couple of weeks back a suggestion from a Kiwi cricket journalist pressing the NZCA to approach CA on allowing 4 NZ teams into the Big Bash. As for teams such as Gold Coast and Western Sydney. Maybe we could see the re-introduction of the Canberra ( or ACT) Comets. In the T20 format they would be viable enough.
AndyRoo said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:38am | Report comment
I think that would be a huge mistake except for a Geelong team. You can’t have 9 teams from Victoria, in the 20/20. What about Richmond fans? They can’t go too see Essendon vs Collingwood it wouldn’t be right so you would be capping support.
Redb said | January 18th 2010 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
What about Richmond fans?
We dont need for them for other Ess v Coll games that get between 80-90K and sellout ANZAC Day. The advantage is that unlike cricket State based one sided crowds, Ess and Coll would get 20-30K fans each improving the atmosphere out of sight.
There would be 1-2 handy cricketers amongst the AFL playing lists that would be good to include as subs or wotnot.
Like your thinking Jay, Broncos v Magpies – play two games, 1 at Suncorp the other at the MCG.
Redb
Redb said | January 18th 2010 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
that would be the GABBA not Suncorp.
Brett McKay said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:42am | Report comment
that idea is so unfeasable it’s not even worth speculating about…
M1tch said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:53am | Report comment
Its more of a charity idea
Brett McKay said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:35am | Report comment
my undertsnading of the imports was that CA gave the states $50K each to buy one import, and they could then buy one more themselves out of their own coffers. So I’m assuming the guys who have played all games would be getting the full purse, and the “blow-ins” would be on a pro-rata match fee….
Lu said | January 18th 2010 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Be gone with the ford ranger cup.. Play the shield in October/November/December.. Run a domestic T20 “league” Jan/Feb.. League = every team plays each other twice (home and away).. top 2 teams into finals.. maybe add some extra teams.. Massive..
Also take the longer form of the domestic cricket back to the smaller suburban venues (junction oval etc) and organically grow the supporter base on the coat tails of this T20 success.. nothing looks more sadder than a 95% empty MCG during a shield clash..
And all this Football/cricket/AFL comparison talk is BS as usual..
Working Class Rugger said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:18pm | Report comment
Lu
NSW have been playing games in Newcastle and North Syd Oval for a few years now.
M1tch said | January 18th 2010 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Holy Moly
last night 20/20 got 216 000 on Fox
Jay said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:57pm | Report comment
wow… that’s a fair effort.
M1tch said | January 18th 2010 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
wednesday game got 210k!
even a pre-game got over 100k
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 4:01pm | Report comment
and that in summer time perspective to other sports on Fox??
I honestly don’t know ‘cos I haven’t looked.
M1tch said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:06pm | Report comment
Highest a-league 86k
other a-league were in the 60′s
FTA will be knocking on the door for the big bash!
Redb said | January 19th 2010 @ 7:09am | Report comment
Ch 9 could be persuaded to drop the International one dayers for the Big Bash. Perhaps?
Jay said | January 19th 2010 @ 8:24am | Report comment
Redb – i dont think ODIs are going anyway. James Sutherland has reinforced his support for the format.
I think ODIs are in decline in England and Australia (where tests remain strong), but they are still quite popular overseas and India still loves them.