On the international stage, Twenty20 continues to grow at a tremendous rate. But back home in Blighty where the craze first took off, has the public imagination for “bish bash bosh” version of the game been lost somewhat? From the BBC Northampton commentary box is would seem so as grounds that would have been full only 2 seasons ago, are now only a third full. They are still very good paydays for the county clubs compared to the 4-day cricket but Chief Execs up and down the country.

Too many games and “overkill” is an obvious excuse. Each team now plays 16 games (8 home games) and it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Even the most ardent chocolate lover wouldn’t want 16 slices of chocolate cake! Not only that but the matches have been bunched together in a World Cup style “month long” time period. So it is very easy for people to pick and choose games.

Coupled with this there is the cost. So far prices I have seen range from £12 at Leicestershire to a whopping £25 at Warwickshire (against Northants). Even at the £12 price that is still £96 to watch all 8 home games. Compared to football and rugby, cricket is still a cheap sport to watch but in the months of June and July, not everyone has a spare £100 to watch cricket. Whereas back in the day when teams played a mere 5 or 8 games then it was a MUST to be seen at your local club – regardless of cost.

From the counties point of view two things spoilt the tournament before it had even begun. The winners and runners up on Finals day would usually go on to represent England in the “Champions League” of t20. But with the ECB not allowing teams to do so as it interferes with the 2011 season, a huge incentive has been taken away.

The scramble for big name players has been ugly to watch and a large majority of the national cricket boards have been unhelpful in making players available. With two overseas players allowed to be signed during what is already a busy time for World Cricket has meant huge amounts of money has been thrown at players to tempt them over to the UK for 6 weeks. Wouldn’t it be ironic that the tournament that is the saviour of county cricket in England and the format that helps balance most county’s books actually cripples them in 2010?

Finally, and this is a very subjective point of view and may well be disagreed with all over, but has the cricket became a bit stale? So far in 2010, this twenty20 veteran has been present at 9 games and only two of them came to an exciting conclusion. Not like the old days where regularly matches would pivot on the final 2 overs of the match. Batsmen are now finding it tougher than ever as bowlers are becoming increasingly good at stopping the flow of runs. As a bowler myself I’m all for it but when sat in the crowd expecting the ball to fly to all parts it is quite annoying. In a recent match I commentated on between Northants and Derbyshire there was only 14 boundaries in the entire match!

I loved the old format of the Twenty20 cup, it was fun, it lasted just 3 weeks, the players enjoyed it immensely and it WORKED. Even the traditionalists started to come round to liking it. Instead of trying to rival the IPL and allow greed to consume their thoughts, the ECB would be well advised to have a rethink in 2011.

Peter Short