Twenty Twenty - is it all that?

[FairwayDodger]

I like cricket, never played it but watch on the telly and have been to see it live. But I haven't seen much T20 until recently. For me, it's not nearly as exciting as it's hyped up to be. Sure, the batsmen have to take on more shots so you see plenty of sixes and wickets but it rarely seems to produce close matches.

I've watched a lot of the Big Bash and, more often than not, the result is pretty clear very early on in the chasing team's innings. The commentators end up just chatting away about total rubbish because there's nothing significant happening in the game.

Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying it and when a match does go to the wire it's very exciting but it just doesn't seem to happen often enough.

What do the cricket aficionados think?

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

I like cricket, never played it but watch on the telly and have been to see it live. But I haven't seen much T20 until recently. For me, it's not nearly as exciting as it's hyped up to be. Sure, the batsmen have to take on more shots so you see plenty of sixes and wickets but it rarely seems to produce close matches.

I've watched a lot of the Big Bash and, more often than not, the result is pretty clear very early on in the chasing team's innings. The commentators end up just chatting away about total rubbish because there's nothing significant happening in the game.

Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying it and when a match does go to the wire it's very exciting but it just doesn't seem to happen often enough.

What do the cricket aficionados think?

You missed an amazing Big Bash match on Saturday then, with KP! One team was storming the run chase, lost a few wickets and it came down to the final ball, and whether or not there was a direct hit on the stumps to run them out or not. Was very good watching!

 

[Piece]

English T20 was good until, IMHO, they over killed it. Too many extra games, too longer period, etc. Need to go back to quality approach and engagement - do it when the kids are off and can watch/attend, decent names playing, and not too many games!

 

[Tongo]

Its a good format for an evening out but in terms of providing entertainment that will live long in the memory its fairly forgettable.

 

[FairwayDodger]

You missed an amazing Big Bash match on Saturday then, with KP! One team was storming the run chase, lost a few wickets and it came down to the final ball, and whether or not there was a direct hit on the stumps to run them out or not. Was very good watching!

Yeah, it's very exciting when you get a close game but it just doesn't happen often enough. Typically, that seems to be one of the matches I missed!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

T20 are like McDonalds. Instant fun, utterly forgettable. They both have their place.

T20 brings in the crowds and the money, both of which are good for the game. I agree that you get more one sided matches than close ones as it is a risk taking style of game. A good one is excellent, but too many are dull. I don't watch the IPL, will watch the odd BB game but only if nothing else is on and occasionally watch the odd English 20-20 match. The game needs 20-20 to keep it financially afloat.

I'm old fashioned and prefer my Test cricket. That I will watch, care about and envy every player good enough to play it.

 

[patricks148]

main thing is you can what the whole match in a couple of hours. downside is there are now loads of games, ipl, BB, prem league and the Uk domestic comp.

Always enjoyed playing it though, a great laugh.

 

[DCB]

I remember the good old days when the John Player Sunday afternoon cricket used to be played. Good stuff, all done and dusted in an afternoon. In those days the five day match was still king.... cricket as it is meant to be played

20-20 just doesn't do it for me I'm afraid.

 

[GB72]

Great for the non cricket fan. My wife has no interest in any other format but will come to a 20/20 game at Nottingham with me and really enjoys it

 

[MegaSteve]

Its a good format for an evening out...

^^^This...

 

[bluewolf]

Great format to get the kids interested. My lad isn't too fussed by longer forms of the game, but will happily traipse to Old Trafford for a 20/20 game. We also sit down and watch the IPL when it's on.. I still prefer Test Cricket, but I'm not overly fussed by the 50 over game..

 

[sportsbob]

It was brought in to attract a different audience and give them some excitement - young kids/women etc. Even the 50 over game takes practically all day which bored the 'not-that-bothered' spectator. Good fun

 

[fundy]

Bit of a purist here so prefer the longer format. T20 has a place nowadays but personally think its now being overdone to the detriment of the health of the overall sport.

One of the biggest issues for me is the belief that 200+ v 200+ is the best outcome for the fans with lots of 6s and 4s, this for me is dumbing the game down to the lowest denominator. Too many very flat pitches, boundaries being brought in, bats getting better etc has made the bowlers lot almost untenable in some games, they may as well just have a bowling machine there.

Much rather see proper balance between bat and ball, the games played on full size pitches where mis-hits are out not 10 rows back for 6, tracks where decent bowlers have a fair chance of outwitting the batsmen and the game relies fully on the all round skills of the side

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Bit of a purist here so prefer the longer format. T20 has a place nowadays but personally think its now being overdone to the detriment of the health of the overall sport.

One of the biggest issues for me is the belief that 200+ v 200+ is the best outcome for the fans with lots of 6s and 4s, this for me is dumbing the game down to the lowest denominator. Too many very flat pitches, boundaries being brought in, bats getting better etc has made the bowlers lot almost untenable in some games, they may as well just have a bowling machine there.

Much rather see proper balance between bat and ball, the games played on full size pitches where mis-hits are out not 10 rows back for 6, tracks where decent bowlers have a fair chance of outwitting the batsmen and the game relies fully on the all round skills of the side

That is known as Test cricket. If people want runs in 20-20, give em runs. 20-20 is showbiz so give them some razzle.

I see the game splitting slightly. 20-20 specialists and then the more technically gifted players still playing test match cricket. Old guys will play 20-20 still, a bit like the MLS in football, when they can no longer carry on at test level. The format to suffer is likely to be the 50 over one day game. It looks a little lost now with no one particularly caring for it in the same way they do either 20-20 or Test matches.

 

[Foxholer]

Tome, it's good entertainment but 'not Cricket'!

 

[sportsbob]

Tome, it's good entertainment but 'not Cricket'!

Are you Geoffrey Boycott in disguise?

 

[louise_a]

Its dumbed down cricket for people with short attention spans

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I enjoyed it when it first started but over hyped and over played now.

 

[Tongo]

Its dumbed down cricket for people with short attention spans

I enjoyed it when it first started but over hyped and over played now.

Ironically enough one of the most interesting games of T20 i've seen was the final of the local Premier League comp (the highest level of club cricket) at the Ageas / Rose Bowl last year. T20 cricket without the fripperies with a genuinely local crowd (in that the players on the boundary knew those in the stands) A good night out and i shall be returning this year.

 

[Farneyman]

I got this when I was about 8 or 9 when I asked my mum for subbuteo...

http://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic137287_md.jpg

Great introduction to the game. Have followed it from a distance every since.