Okay, I’ll admit it, I’ve been fairly vociferous in airing my distaste of Twenty20 cricket in the past. But with all of this down time between seasons and the recent player signings, I’ve had a chance to think and maybe, I’ve been a little bit too curmudgeonly.
Maybe I’ve been looking at it the wrong way.
So, this season, I’m going to approach Twenty20 differently.
I’m going to appreciate the skills on show and the slickness with which that ramp shot over the ‘keeper is played, or that bouncer slower ball is delivered.
Most of all, I’m going to appreciate the innovation involved in the game.
A mate of mine, who is involved in cricket at a development level, told me that a recent survey had found Twenty20 is viewed by younger children as a separate game to cricket.
That’s right, Twenty20 is its own sport.
In itself, that is an interesting proposition, as older generations have maligned the short, short version of the game as tee-ball.
They denigrate it because the style of play is removed from that which they grew up with.
So rather than embrace it, they have shown distaste.
Whereas those Wii-playing, iPhone-using, internet-attached whippersnappers have taken it on as a totally different sport.
Evidently those at either end of the spectrum are right, it is a different sport.
So now, young South Australian kids can (as an example) say they follow Twenty20, cricket, Aussie rules and soccer.
Another interesting trend I’ve heard of in Twenty20 cricket revolves around the arrival of the new professional era, in which players can represent various franchises throughout the year.
The players now move between franchises with regularity, impacting upon the opportunity to train with their team-mates for any length of time.
What this trend also does is mean the player has less time with a regular coach.
I understand that we are now starting to see players take on travelling coaches, similar to tennis, who can help them out with their techniques.
To me, that’s an amazing concept – a whole new career path for those interested in coaching.
In itself, the opportunity for more people to make careers out of the sport is fantastic news.
Let’s face it, Twenty20 is not going away and all of my bleating in the past has made me sound like one of those old fellas in the members stand saying, “back in my day”.
I’m not quite ready to audition for Grumpy Old Men yet, I am only 34 after all, so I look forward to this summer and what our new Big Bash is set to bring.
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