sportsbarCould Twenty20 destroy cricket? The controversial new movement
July 25th 2007 06:41
Entrepreneurs were quick to cash in on the latest craze intorducing national competitions, and adding more 20-20 internationals to the sporting calendar. The game was taking off whether the players wanted it to or not. Perhaps the most revealing insight into how teams were treating the new fad was the selection of Andrew Johns in the line up for the NSW Blues. Did they care about winning the competition, or did they care about how many fans they could attract through the gates?
Andrew Symonds has repeatedly stated that 20-20 should be left for what it is; a one off. He, like many fans and players believe that the popularity of the contests is due to the lack of pressure on players which allows them to express themselves freely. The carnival like approach also gives freedom to the media and permits players to be hooked up with microphones and directly connected to the commentators and viewers in their living rooms. Basically, the one-off games are a glorified slog-a-thon, something that appeals to a new breed of fans but disappoints purists and traditionalists.
With the brisk introduction of a 20-20 World Cup to be held later this year, there is much speculation and debate about the merit of such a format. With the catastrophic debacle of the 50-over World Cup earlier this year the ICC are desperate to wrestle back credibility. The competition was a complete shambles from beginning to its eventual conclusion which inevitably ended in utter chaos. The ICC is in damage control after hosting such a pathetically drawn-out competition dogged by poor organisation and endless controversy. It is hoped that hit-and-giggle format will bring reprieve to the besieged organisation. After-all it couldn’t possibly get any worse?
The Rebel League
India has very quickly become the power behind world cricket, but now there is a new organisation which threatens the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI). The amount of one-day internationals played in the modern game can largely be attributed to the subcontinent giants, but a new company ‘India Cricket League’ (ICL) has started a radical movement which is in direct competition and threatens the highly influential BCCI.
Lara; the latest to sign with ICL
The problem, just like with Packer in the 70’s and the super league war in the late 90’s is that it creates a divide in the sporting world. If this venture takes off and is successful, what does that mean for Indian cricket, and thus world cricket? There is no denying the amount of money, sponsorship and interest India pours into the modern game, what will happen if its cricket board crumbles?
This is one of the more interesting movements in sport in recent memory and it will be interesting what ramifications if any will result from it. Where does 20-20 cricket belong? Have your say.
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