Is it a bit of harmless entertainment or is it a load of ****? Personally, having just watched some of the England v Australia international, I found it all a bit uninvolving. It places value on slogging and brutal stokemaking, which left wanting to watch a classic battle between a class bowler and a great batsman.
However, I do think at lower levels it's a great idea. For emerging nations and for "new" teams in cricketing frontiers it could really help develop more interest in the game.
It does seem a bit pointless at international level tbh -- teams probably need to play a bit less international cricket -- and there's always the one-day game for hits and giggles.
That said, it's rejuvenated English county cricket, or at least brought it much-needed cash. I went to Kent v Surrey 20/20 in the summer and it was good to see so many kids there who otherwise wouldn't have the cash or the time to watch.
Cricket's like Christmas -- we do it for the kids.
Could lose the terrible music after every boundary though.
El Presidente wrote: Is it a bit of harmless entertainment or is it a load of ****? Personally, having just watched some of the England v Australia international, I found it all a bit uninvolving. It places value on slogging and brutal stokemaking, which left wanting to watch a classic battle between a class bowler and a great batsman.
-- Edited by El Presidente at 12:27, 2007-01-09
Twenty20 is a total stroke of genius by the ECB. Not only has it helped county clubs make money, but it has totally changed the make-up of cricket fans, moving away from the detrimental MCC old farts to the young kids who will one day keep the sport alive. I don't think the internationals are played with any huge degree of seriousness, it's more a game for the crowds, who, as it's been proved, have lapped it up.
Watching Surrey vs. Middlesex Twenty20 last summer was the purfect way to finish a week. 3 hours of cricket on a glorious summers evening at a packed Oval beats any form of live sports watching both in terms of cost and time spent.
What's "stokemaking"? Is it anything to do with being 'stoked', an expression Aussies use when they mean 'pleased', which more careful users reserve to describe the tending, feeding or general stirring up of their fire?
What's "stokemaking"? Is it anything to do with being 'stoked', an expression Aussies use when they mean 'pleased', which more careful users reserve to describe the tending, feeding or general stirring up of their fire?
Oops. My bad! It appears I will need to be a more careful user in future. Oh well at least it amused someone.
I wish all the international teams would take it a bit more seriously. There seemed to be an imbalance with Oz v England the other day. England desperate to win, Oz having a laugh with nicknames on the back of their shirts. 20-20 is a brilliant concept and is vital for spreading the game. And if one team is pissing about at that level, it's pointless. It seems to have split the cricket world. Gilly said it's too early for a World Cup. I think they should play a three-match series of 20-20, and a three-match series of 50 overs stuff. No more.
Please, please get rid of the fielders' commentary and nicknames. Also, Australia's strip the other day was revolting.
I wish all the international teams would take it a bit more seriously. There seemed to be an imbalance with Oz v England the other day. England desperate to win, Oz having a laugh with nicknames on the back of their shirts.
** I hate to think what the score would have been if Australia'd been taking it seriously and England having a laugh then!!
Angus wrote: 20-20 is a brilliant concept and is vital for spreading the game. And if one team is pissing about at that level, it's pointless. It seems to have split the cricket world. Gilly said it's too early for a World Cup. I think they should play a three-match series of 20-20, and a three-match series of 50 overs stuff. No more.
Please, please get rid of the fielders' commentary and nicknames. Also, Australia's strip the other day was revolting.
the nicknames are just embarrassing tho. Apparently one (I think NSW) player called Bird wasn't allowed to use his nickname (Flu) as the sponsor of the event was KFC:
-- Edited by Golcar CC at 14:11, 2007-01-11
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So you guys wouldn't be up for LjCC shirts with such nicknames as "Disco" "Defibrillator""Sideboard Bob", "Tash" "Reverand" "Urbinator" or "Jonah" then?
Have to agree though that Australia strips the other day seem to have come from the same manufacturor of the infamous "Slovenia 2004 tracksuits" - (picture fortunately not to hand at the moment. )
