Mark Planamente
NormTwenty 20 Is A Great Game, But Just Take It at Game Value
January 10th 2007 12:26
For the past three days there has been a lot of talk about the new form of cricket taking over not only in the domestic leagues, but also at the international level.
Twenty 20 cricket has been the talk of the town lately, due to both a lack of real cricket played, and with a number of controversies arises from the recent games.
First of all, there was a lot of comment of allowing NRL star Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns represent NSW in their last two matches during the domestic competition. Whilst Johns was a hit with the crowd, drawing in record numbers, he was unable to do anything stylish with either the bat or ball, and NSW were bumped out of the competition with a whisper.
Then there was the international match against Australia and England. Many players commentated that this was just a fun game for them, and whilst they were able to sell out the SCG, many people were claiming that it was a pointless game, and a form of the match that might demoralise the game of cricket.
I need to clarify some points. First of all the Twenty 20 competition is still relatively new, with England only playing the game for four years before it stretched around the world. Second of all the talk about how the game of cricket might lose some of its credibility due to this recent form is in one word, crap.
Twenty 20 is an exciting match to watch. All players are out there having fun, and with such a restricted schedule and the pride of their nation constantly on the line, I do not see one thing wrong with having a number of small exhibition matches that allow the best players around the world actually enjoying the sport with no consequences regarding their performance.
Please note that I said exhibition match, as I believe that whilst Twenty 20 is enjoyable to watch, it is still not a true test of the competition. Most players attempt to smash the cover of the ball, and whilst it is great to see a huge number of fours and sixes hit around the ground, in the end it means nothing.
Making this form a game that everyone enjoys and is entertained is a great marketing ploy, as it gives excitement to what some people call a stuffy sport (mostly non-Test lovers), but lets call it what it is, and great way to show off some massive hits, nothing else.
Giving this form more credibility is a ridiculous notion, and unfortunately we are seeing happen, with a international Twenty 20 tournament slated in September in South Africa. I, like 2.3 million other viewers around the nation, loved the idea of Ponting, Hayden and Gilchrist smacking the ball around, but more of a once off than a real contest.
Creating a international tournament gives this game something it should not have, global credibility. There is no real finesse with the game, and because the matches are so fast paced, their can be no real strategy played from either sides to make it an interesting game other than the hits.
The game is not fair at all. In the past 10 matches played in Australia this year, every side that has batted first has won the match. 20 overs is not enough to focus a run tally, and for most part the bowlers and fielders are exhausted from leaving it out on the pitch in their fast paced innings to even consider matching the runs.
The Twenty 20 form of the game is a great way to show off the talent and ability the best batters and bowlers in a action-packed way, but it’s like a home run derby in baseball or a slam dunk contest in basketball. Great to watch, but in the end the fans, players, and essentially everyone associated knows that it means nothing at the end of the game.
Until next time, sports minds.
Twenty 20 cricket has been the talk of the town lately, due to both a lack of real cricket played, and with a number of controversies arises from the recent games.
First of all, there was a lot of comment of allowing NRL star Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns represent NSW in their last two matches during the domestic competition. Whilst Johns was a hit with the crowd, drawing in record numbers, he was unable to do anything stylish with either the bat or ball, and NSW were bumped out of the competition with a whisper.
Then there was the international match against Australia and England. Many players commentated that this was just a fun game for them, and whilst they were able to sell out the SCG, many people were claiming that it was a pointless game, and a form of the match that might demoralise the game of cricket.
I need to clarify some points. First of all the Twenty 20 competition is still relatively new, with England only playing the game for four years before it stretched around the world. Second of all the talk about how the game of cricket might lose some of its credibility due to this recent form is in one word, crap.
Twenty 20 is an exciting match to watch. All players are out there having fun, and with such a restricted schedule and the pride of their nation constantly on the line, I do not see one thing wrong with having a number of small exhibition matches that allow the best players around the world actually enjoying the sport with no consequences regarding their performance.
Please note that I said exhibition match, as I believe that whilst Twenty 20 is enjoyable to watch, it is still not a true test of the competition. Most players attempt to smash the cover of the ball, and whilst it is great to see a huge number of fours and sixes hit around the ground, in the end it means nothing.
Making this form a game that everyone enjoys and is entertained is a great marketing ploy, as it gives excitement to what some people call a stuffy sport (mostly non-Test lovers), but lets call it what it is, and great way to show off some massive hits, nothing else.
Giving this form more credibility is a ridiculous notion, and unfortunately we are seeing happen, with a international Twenty 20 tournament slated in September in South Africa. I, like 2.3 million other viewers around the nation, loved the idea of Ponting, Hayden and Gilchrist smacking the ball around, but more of a once off than a real contest.
Creating a international tournament gives this game something it should not have, global credibility. There is no real finesse with the game, and because the matches are so fast paced, their can be no real strategy played from either sides to make it an interesting game other than the hits.
The game is not fair at all. In the past 10 matches played in Australia this year, every side that has batted first has won the match. 20 overs is not enough to focus a run tally, and for most part the bowlers and fielders are exhausted from leaving it out on the pitch in their fast paced innings to even consider matching the runs.
The Twenty 20 form of the game is a great way to show off the talent and ability the best batters and bowlers in a action-packed way, but it’s like a home run derby in baseball or a slam dunk contest in basketball. Great to watch, but in the end the fans, players, and essentially everyone associated knows that it means nothing at the end of the game.
Until next time, sports minds.
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