Starting as somewhat of a novelty, T20 cricket has undeniably transformed into the most popular form of the game worldwide. As the popularity of test cricket and 50-over cricket waned, T20 has revitalised the game, infusing much-needed energy, and most importantly, a financial injection, with global T20 leagues dominating the cricketing landscape. But how did this format, which wasn’t always taken seriously, become the lifeblood of international cricket?
Check out a brief history of T20 Cricket:
Origins
After the Benson & Hedges Cup ended in 2002, The England Cricket Board (ECB) wanted another one-day competition to fill its place. While limited-overs cricket had been around for more than 30 years as an alternative to test cricket, its novelty value had waned, and cricketing authorities were looking for a way to boost the game's popularity among the younger generation in response to smaller crowds and reduced sponsorship.
The goal was to produce fast-paced and exciting cricket that would appeal to a younger audience. New Zealand cricketer Martin Crowe had invented a 20-over-per-innings game in the 1990s called Cricket Max, and using that format, the England and Wales Cricket Board formally created official rules for T20.
Format
T20s followed the basic formula of 50 over cricket but shortened the game to 20 overs a side, resulting in a cricket match only lasting about 3 and half hours rather than a whole day, and spawning immense innovation and hitting power in cricket. Other innovations were external to the play on the field; they included dancers, fireworks, strategy timeouts, more excitable commentators, dugouts (similar to baseball) , pitch side interviews mid-game, and live commentator interviews mid-game with players on the field.
First season
On 13 June 2003, the first official Twenty20 matches were played between the English counties in the Twenty20 Cup. The first season of the competition was deemed a success, with the first Twenty20 match occurring on 15 July 2004 between Middlesex and Surrey and attracting a crowd of 27,50. This was the highest attendance for any county cricket game at the ground since 1953, other than a one-day final (indicating that the general public had a hunger for this type of cricket.
T20 Spreads Worldwide
Gradually, other countries around the world tried out this format and it proved to be extremely popular:
- Pakistan's inaugural T20 competition was launched in 2004 with 13 teams.
- Australia's first Twenty20 game was played on 12 January 2005 at the WACA Ground between the Western Warriors and the Victorian Bushranger, drawing a sell-out crowd of 20,000.
- South Africa launched the Standard Bank Pro20 series in the 2005/2006 season.
The Dawn of T20 Internationals
The first men’s T20 international was held on 17 February 2005 at Eden Park, Auckland, with Australia defeating New Zealand. The match was played in a light-hearted manner, with both sides wearing kit similar to that worn in the 1980s, while some of the players sported beards, moustaches and hairstyles popular in the 1980s. Towards the end of the match (won easily by Australia), the players and umpires messed around: Glenn McGrath replicated the Trevor Chappell underarm incident (from a 1981 ODI between the two sides), while umpire Billy Bowden showed him a mock red card in response.
The First T20 World Cup
In 2007, South Africa played host to the first ICC World Twenty20 from 11 to 24 September. The tournament was considered a success, with large crowds, massive entertainment and memorable moments enjoyed in the 13-day tournament, with 12 teams participating. India beat Pakistan in the final by 5runs. Since this event, 7 World Twenty20 tournaments have been held.
The Emergence of T20 Leagues
The success of the first ICC World Twenty20 prompted India to introduce their own T20 League: the Indian Premier League (IPL) which debuted in 2008 and attracted wealthy team owners that bought high-profile players from around the cricketing world. The IPL’s success then led to a proliferation of other, similarly structured T20 leagues launching in other countries, as players from all around the world made millions playing in these leagues.
Current Status
With its shorter, “razzle dazzle” formula and lucrative paydays, T20 has emerged as the most popular and lucrative form of cricket. While many credit T20 for reviving cricket in the 21st century, others have lamented the negative impact it has had on test cricket- the traditional format of the sport and widely regarded as the most intricate and purest form of the game. Whatever your views, there is no doubt that T20 cricket is here to stay and is currently the lifeblood of cricket worldwide.
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