After 10 years of Twenty20 Cricket it is now time for a change.
The whole format has become predictable and is doing Proper Cricket no favours at all.
Cricket was originally developed on the basis that bowling the other side out was the key to victory, to this end batting styles developed on the 'protect your wicket at all costs' philosophy. No bad thing.
Over the years batsmen became more adventurous and the art of balanced risk taking became part of the game. More shots were played and the battle between bat and ball became well balanced.
Along came one day cricket, in 1963, with the introduction of the Gillette Cup. Played over 65 overs, it was still a relatively long format and defensive batting remained important to the game. In 1964 the tournament became 60 overs a side and the first step was taken to reducing the one day game to the slog-fest we know today.
The Tournament continued under various sponsors names until the next reduction in overs came in 1999. When as the Nat West Trophy the tournament was played over 50 overs.
Today the longest one day format played by the counties is 40 overs.
Internationals remain as 50 over affairs. Played together with an increasing number of Twenty20 tournaments around the world.
In the meantime Proper Cricket - Test Matches and County Championship retain the 5 day and 4 day format.
The amount of County Championship cricket played has reduced drastically over the years while Test Cricket has increased in frequency.
So we now have County Players playing more and more hit and hope cricket and less and less Proper Cricket.
One day cricket is not a breeding ground for either County Cricket or more importantly Test Cricket. Surviving at all costs is not a principle that is being instilled into our budding Test players.
Watching Chris Gayle hit the first ball of a Test Match for Six for the first time ever in 2,027 Tests has set the alarm bells ringing for me. It was a disgusting exhibition. It needs stamping out of the game.
Things must change before Test Cricket goes to hell in a hand cart.
CHRIS GAYLE - ONE SLOG TOO FAR
In the 2,027th Test Match Chris Gayle is the first player ever to hit a six off the first ball.
I propose the following changes to the Twenty20 format for all domestic games in England. These changes are designed to get players into the right frame of mind for playing Proper Cricket.
1. The winners of each game shall be the team that loses fewer wickets.
2. In the event of this being equal, the team that scores the fewer runs shall win.
3. In the event still being equal, the team that hit the least number of edges with the bat shall win. (Umpires will signal an edge to the scorers by gesticulating with a thumbs down gesture).
4. Bowlers can bowl 10 overs maximum each. (4 overs each is not enough to break into a sweat).
5. For every 5 extras conceded by the bowling side, a wicket will lost from their own innings.For the sake of this rule overthrows will count as extras. Extras will not be awarded to the batting side.
6. All teams to wear all white clothing, with no names or number on the back. Red ball, white sight screens.
7. Uncovered Pitches will be used for all games.
8. Duckworth-Lewis will be scrapped. Teams to play whatever the weather.
All music will be banned from the grounds. It's a cricket match, not a disco.
These rules will encourage batsmen to protect their wicket at all times and discourage any type of risk taking in their shot selection.
In addition it will prevent the bowling side from bowling purely defensively.
The key to winning will be taking wickets. Bowling will be attacking and slip fielding will return to the one day game.
The only gimmick to survive the T20 slogging era will be the naming of teams:
The crowds will love it. A return to proper cricket.
The Fancy Dans and Show Ponies will move to India, taking their reverse sweeps and Dilshan wotsits with 'em and England will be rewarded with a huge pool of Blockers and Leavers from which to select their Test team.
Follow this plan and England will never lose another Test Match.
PROPER CRICKET
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Excellent blog Sir. But what about the bats these buffoons are taking out into the middle with them these days? Something has to be done about the girth of the willow they are weilding. I would propose limiting the width of edges on bats to one half inch and batsmen should be required to produce an ICC certificate that shows their bat has been knocked in for no less that 160 hours (both bat-mallet and ball in sock being the only acceptable methods - automated techniques are clearly against the spirit of the game).
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Fred.
Wootters - what about the linseed oil. Should be served in pints at games.
ReplyDeleteWhat a load of luddite tripe. What did Bangladesh expect opening the bowling with spin from a debutant? Do you expect Chris Gayle to fend it away for a dot ball out of respect for test cricket?
ReplyDeleteT20 is the best thing to happen to cricket, get over yourself!
Erm, sense of humour bypass alert..............
ReplyDeleteDo you remember that there were sponsored hot tubs at some early T20 fixtures? Utterly disgraceful. The only acceptable method of ablution at a cricket match is surely the tin bath, preferably positioned on a flag-stone floor in front of an open fire. Flat caps to remain firmly on the heads of all bathers.
ReplyDeleteGood idea. Tin baths would be a superb addition to the game. At the interval the crowd could have a 'Donkey Stone the terraces' event. Get em' involved instead of them daft mascot races.
DeleteDrinks shall be replaced with gravy by the pint. Proper stuff!
ReplyDeleteHere, here, four overs is never enough, mind you I can't actually remember the score in the last England T-20 match, something needs to be done
ReplyDeleteA fine synopsis of the death of wicket preservation in the modern era, Fred.
ReplyDeleteThe selectors should be made to read that and all clubs should inform their players that this will be the new England selection criteria. Anyone who can't face at least 40 overs and score less than 40 runs should have a little cross placed next to their name.