The Hindu : 20-over game gets the nod

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 13, 2002

Sport

Sport - Cricket

20-over game gets the nod

By P. Subramanyam

LONDON April 12. In a radical and sweeping change, though controversially ratified, in a meeting held by The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), at the cricket headquarters in Lord's yesterday confirmed the acceptance to vote in favour of the introduction of a new 20-over shorter competition to replace the Benson & Hedges Cup tournament from 2003 summer season.

The voting result was 11-7 and this new tournament, designed to attract a younger audience to the game, will run on trial basis initially for three years.

However, Yorkshire was totally opposed to the change and categorically declared: ``It was a bad idea.''

Yorkshire's chief executive Chris Hasell told BBC Radio Five Live: ``We do not believe this competition will improve the standard of the England team, which should be the ultimate goal.

``We don't see people willing to fight their way through the rush hour traffic to witness a 20-over match.

``Moreover, we can't see how this is going to bring a new audience to the game and we should stick with the tried and trusted one, four or five day variations of the game.''

But in support of the new scheme, Lancashire's chief executive Jim Cumbes sees the new format as the way ahead, and also feels it may benefit England's chances of making an impact on the one-day game.

Endorsing his view, he said: ``You either have the ability or you don't, but what it may do so is concentrate minds on how to play the last 20 overs of an international match, which can be crucial. The 20-over game has been successful in other parts of the world, notably in South Africa and we feel it is worth a try.''

Speaking for the ECB, Tim Lamb, chief executive, said after the meeting, ``I'm delighted that FCF (First Class Forum) of the cricket board have voted to back the introduction of a new 20-over competition.''

This is another very positive development for the future of cricket in this country. It is essential that we reach out and appeal to a new generation of young cricket followers, and this new competition is designed to do exactly that.

``The matches will last three hours and will start at either 5.30 pm or 7.30 pm and will be played under floodlights.

20-over route to Lord's final

The new competition will consist of three regional groups of six teams, with each county playing five games.

The three group winners, and the best runner-up go to a finals' day at Lord's where the two semifinals and the final will take place.

Basic rules of the competition are: Two innings of 20 overs per side, with the match over in less than three hours duration.

These games are played under the usual one-day rules, although bowlers will be limited to four over each and there will be a choice of daylight (5.30 pm to 8.15 pm) or floodlit matches (7.30 pm to 10.15 pm)

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