ICC needs to control cricket’s new formats
When T20 cricket first started, unimpressed observers rubbished the idea. Nonsense to have such short games, they sneered. “Soon somebody will say ‘tosstoss’ and the match will end right after the toss!” someone said.
Today, T20 cricket is an established product and the financial lifeline of world cricket. The IPL, little over 10 years old, has perfected the formula of the short format and other countries are busy cloning it.
Cricket, fortunately, hasn’t reached the ‘toss- toss’ stage. But in a world which moves rapidly, the search has begun for the next big innovation. Cricket consumers are supposed to have short attention spans so the hunt is on for fresh ideas to excite fans, sponsors and broadcasters.
Already, two proposals are on the table and both rest on the premise that cricket must be reduced in length to remain relevant. The ECB wants a 100-ball event; UAE supports a crisper 60-ball game. With these additions, cricket’s family will accommodate two new cousins to the three members they have.
T20 is a 3-1/2 hour game, and if overs are reduced, its run time could become 2-1/2 hours, approximately the length of a feature film. Administrators believe that with lifestyle changes, and acute time deficit, only fast food will work --- Tests are outdated as anything cooked on slow fire is not worth the time spent.
Traditionalists are concerned by the frequent changes. Multiple formats, in their opinion, will create confusion as all kind of tournaments will spring up, like weeds during the monsoon. But this can be prevented, argue others, provided the ICC demonstrates strong leadership to protect cricket’s ‘core’.
ICC should not grant ‘official’ status to the 100 and 60-ball games, nor permit national teams to participate in them.
If ICC was to look the other way, some pioneer might form a 9-player team or even allow two bowlers to bowl alternate balls at a batsman!
It is said shortened matches will attract a ‘newer’ audience — precisely the language spoken when T20 cricket was introduced. But this is a spurious argument because there are many ways to pull in spectators apart from shrinking game time.
Match scheduling, ticket rates, hospitality/entertainment arrangements and overall ‘stadium experience’ have far greater influence on audience choices than just the time taken to complete a match.
Cricket lovers will be dissatisfied if denied the opportunity of watching Virat/ABD or MSD bat for more than 20 balls, or missing out on players down the order.
From players’ perspective too, unreasonably shortened games would be deeply frustrating.
Innovation is great but cricket must ensure it remains a compelling, competitive sport -- not become prime-time comedy.