Twenty20 Cricket is fast losing its lustre, so in good marketing form it is time to tweak the formula just a tad.
Introducing the latest craze in a cricket mad world: Twenty20Twenty10 cricket!
The game consists of two 20-over innings. Each side bats once and fields once.
During their batting innings each team can use up to 20 batsmen.
Note: The members of the batting team must be referred to as ‘batters’ and never as ‘batsmen’. This is to distinguish them as a superior class of willow wielding fiends from those in the other formats.
There are to be 10 on the field for the bowling side and each must bowl two overs.
There will be an improved boundary system with four boundary divisions:
Inner: 2.5 runs – for a hit over the Inner Boundary Rope, situated five metres inside the standard boundary rope. The batsman maybe caught out if the ball is caught between the Inner and Outer ropes. A well as the wicket falling, the batting team will also lose 2.5 runs for such a dismissal.
Four-run boundary: 4 runs: The same as a traditional cricket four run boundary.
Six-run boundary: 6 runs: The same as a traditional cricket six run boundary.
Maximum: 12 runs: The ball must clear the real fence and NOT be caught by a spectator. If a spectator cleanly catches the ball, then no runs are awarded.
As a marketing bonus, the spectator who catches the ball and denies the batter the runs will receive a full refund of their entry fee, plus a stipend to cover incidental expenses such as food and transport.
Power plays will initially be dispensed with as they will be re-introduced next season for an even more exciting product.
If this doesn’t bring the crowds back, I don’t know what will!
Timmuh
Roar Guru
After a boundary the batsmen must swap ends, like with a wicket in indoor. Take advatntage of the time between overs and the fact that players are miked up. Rather than having pre-recorded ads, have players do live reads over the ground speaker system while going to their fielding position. "I'm Michael Clarke, captain, going to cover; and I'm feeling better on Swisse". That type of thing. (OK, Clarke might not play the new improved format, but you get the idea. A guy hits 20 off an over and claims it is becaus ehe had his Weet-Bix.)
ojg1997
Roar Rookie
Had a great Christmas and happy new year to you to!
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
That would knock out a lot of DRS & TV decisions though. The endless replays build tension in the viewers :)
AdamS
Roar Guru
You've left out the one bounce one hand rule.
mahonjt
Guest
Is there some way to incorporate elements of the pentathlon – if you add some skiing and shooting it would pull them in. Summer snow is an issue, but I hear the Qatar Football Association have some new stadium technology.
Neil Pudsey
Guest
Yes five, four and one day cricket has a lot of flaws but that's why we it's the game we all love.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Will someone please remove this street urchin from the betting pavillion?
Jimmy
Guest
[comment deleted]
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Whats up? Have a bad Christmas? Just don't have a sense of humour? If the little "Ha" icon didn't tip you off, it is just a bit of a piss take on T20 and what to do about its falling attendances. I hope you have great 2013...
ojg1997
Roar Rookie
This article has to be in contention for worst article of the year
ojg1997
Roar Rookie
Is that article meant to be a joke. Twenty20 isn't doing that bad if you compare it to Ryobi Cup and Shiled crowds. Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Brisbane are all getting in good crowds for the Big Bash League. Melbourne's crowds are ok and Sydney's crowds are bad because both teams are losing. Twenty20 is way more popular then one day cricket and if one format is to go it will be fifty over cricket.
smithha
Roar Pro
Hear hear!! Or the batsman has to face every fifth over with a blindfold on?? It would really separate the contenders from the pretenders...
Neuen
Roar Rookie
How about a stun ball disguise as a stun grenade which can be bowled once every 2 or 3 overs? That will keep the batsman on his toes
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
A though just occurred to me. Given the genesis of this product then is but one suitable name: The "Roaring Hot Big Smashfest League" or as a shortform name "The Roar Smash". I better register those pretty damn quick...
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Sheek, Mea Culpa. I have just arrived home from a short stint in the islands and it always brings out the mischief in me. 8)
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
No we're talking. Maybe they should wear Transformers type outfits?
sheek
Roar Guru
I'm very disappointed in you Rabbitz. And I must reprimand you severely. You shouldn't be encouraging the lunatic fringe elements like this. Not at all! They might think you're being serious..... ;-)
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Inner, Outer or Maximum?
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Umm, like, umm, Wow. I wonder if it would work as a double bill with a UFC match?
Fumbleball Rules
Guest
How about we keep the AFL goal posts up? If you hit it between the middle posts you get 50 points. If you miss and get it between the behind posts then you get 1 point for trying and failing.