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Beamer Week Four

Beamer - Week Four

So, the First Class Forum (FCF) of the 18 counties plus the MCC, have voted to scrap the B & H cup next year in favour of a 20-over-per-side competition in the middle of summer. I heard a rumour about this about a month ago and my initial reaction was one of horror. After all, 20-overs per side is nothing but mindless slogging – what about technique, finesse, strategy, stamina and all the other things that make cricket such a great game? Surely they are all out of the window? To use the old adage, it just simply isn’t cricket! Well, this is largely true but there is rather more to the argument than this bare assessment. Now I am getting used to the fact that this competition is going to happen, I have started to re-think the implications.

I still believe that all the qualities of the longer game (particularly test cricket) mentioned above, are indeed likely to be missing from this cut-down experiment. For the true cricket fan, this will not be welcome. Furthermore, there is of course a potential danger that this could have a detrimental effect upon the players who are then called upon to display these qualities in the longer game. There has been frequent criticism of the one-day game adversely influencing players’ technique in the longer version. Surely an even shorter game would cause even more problems?

However, one criticism that is unlikely to be aimed at this competition is that it lacks excitement. One down side of the 50-over format is that the first 15 and last 10 overs are exciting but the middle 25 can be rather dull. Effectively a 20-over innings does away with the dull part – it will be action all the way. It is a fact that most people like to watch the batsmen going for their shots and taking risks. There is no doubt it makes for tense, exciting viewing.

The true cricket fan may appreciate the strategy, psychology and subtlety of test cricket. However it has to be admitted that to a larger audience with only a passing interest, and to children in particular, these many nuances are not appreciated. Here is the rub. If cricket audiences are dwindling, particularly the younger audience (and by all accounts they are), then something needs to be done to grab their attention. Loathe as I am to admit it, but this competition may be just the thing to do this. Lovers of cricket may be turned off and indeed may stay away in their droves – but they are not the target audience.

Most counties are currently struggling financially, surviving on handouts from the ECB of money generated by international cricket. If this competition succeeds in bringing in a new audience, some of whom may be impressed enough to start attending the other forms of the game, then this unfortunate financial situation may begin to be addressed. Of course it could be argued that if this competition has a detrimental effect upon players’ technique in tests, then this could ultimately affect audiences for internationals, which are still going to be the real cash generators. I am sure the FCF are sincerely hoping that this does not prove to be the case.

I still maintain my dislike of the concept, however I am willing to admit that there are good reasons for giving it a try. After all, limited overs cricket was resisted by many when it was first introduced and indeed still is. However it has gone on to become a fascinating and entertaining game in its own right, separate from the more traditional longer game. It has different qualities and a different appeal that may not be to the liking of all but is undoubtedly popular with many. This may well be the case with the new competition. In the end a lot of questions will only be answered by giving it a go and seeing what happens. I may even pop along to have a look myself.

Beamer

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