The Phenomenon that is 20-20

“RAZOR SHARP FIELDING”

TUMBLING WICKETS….”

“HELL-FOR-LEATHER BATTING”

“HIT OUT ……  OR  ......  GET OUT……”

“WHIRLWIND CRICKET ACTION….YOU CANT TAKE YOUR EYES OFF”

I guess the phrases say it all, but for all of those who have not yet turned their telly’s on and experienced the euphoria, I am talking about the new format of the game everyone’s been raving about, the newest and by far the most exciting format of cricket.

Yes, I am talking about the most hyped, most talked about, the most crisp and the most concise form of the gentlemen’s game. It’s TWENTY-TWENTY (20-20) or as the ICC calls it the T20.

It all started with the increasing and ever-raising doubts over cricket’s bleak future. TRP’S were dropping, so was the interest among the masses, and with the hysteric success of the Football World Cup 2006 something had to be done.

So the ICC decided to stick its neck out by adopting a mini version of the Odi’s originally introduced by the home of cricket. The Wales and England Cricket Board in 2003 gained so much momentum domestically that a perennial competition was established in England.

And so it was decided to introduce this version to the international stage. The first ever international 20-20 was held in Auckland, New Zealand on February 17, 2005 between Australia and New Zealand, the winner being Australia.

It was an instant success, everyone was optimistic about its future. South Africa was slated as the venue for hosting the inaugural edition of the ICC WORLD T20 championship from September 11-24.

It was something new for the world, something unheard of, like a three-hour matinee film, having its share of thrills and spills galore, and by the way having a new set of rules too:

Each team gets 20 overs, which should last for only 80 minutes. Any delay in the completion of innings would result in deduction of five runs from the score of the team causing delay.

In those 20 overs would contain the first six overs in which the fielding restrictions would be imposed, and which the fielding captain would be allowed only two fielders outside the 15 yard circle

After the completion of the first six overs, the fielding captain must have at least four fielders inside the 15 yard circle

In case of a front-foot no ball,the team will be awarded two runs, an extra ball, and the batsman will be allowed a free hit, i.e. the batsman has the liberty of hitting the ball anywhere and the only way he can be dismissed is through a run out. The fielding captain must keep the same field which was placed at the time of the no-ball.

So now that you’ve got the gyaan…switch on the televisions and have some fun.