Cricket’s newest format T10 takes desert by storm
SHARJAH:“IF you have had two dot balls, the third has to go for a six”, asserted Jonny Bairstow, emphasising the intensity of cricket’s latest recognised format, having smacked a 24-ball 84 not out in a T10 cricket league contest on Friday night.
Bairstow’s knock featuring eight sixes merely a week after scoring a fine Test hundred against Sri Lanka displayed how rapidly the modern day cricketer changes gears. The England wicketkeeper-batsman’s rapid transformation from a Test No 3 to a T10 slogger is not new. The mushrooming of T20 leagues in the last decade has ensured players adapt faster now.
“I think T10 asks you to make decisions quicker. You got to play at a higher level, take risks earlier and you have got to look for boundaries often against mystery spinners, which is not always easy,” says Brendon Mccullum, former New Zealand captain and skipper of Rajputs.
The latest format recognised by ICC is in the nascent stage, but it has received a tremendous response from players past and present and presents a huge opportunity for the world body to take it to newer markets.
The tournament is only in its second edition, but murmurs of cricket finding a place in Olympics via ’90-minute cricket’ a la football are already on.
“It definitely can,” says Mccullum when asked if T10 can be a tool to promote cricket. “T10 cricket is for an hour-and-half, it appeals to what society asks for. T20 cricket has been and will continue to be a revelation for us. It is just another product which we can take to the market and it can be a good thing for those who enjoy cricket,” he added.
SEVERE ON BOWLERS
This format has all the elements of T20, with short boundaries and fewer overs making it extremely tough for the bowlers. The most successful team this season, the Darren Sammy-led Northern Warriors, has already scored an unprecedented 183 in 60 balls. The players do sound a little intimidated by the challenges of T10, which they say is ‘severe’ on the bowlers and is clearly the ‘batters’ game’.
“It can be more severe on the bowlers. Also one or two bowlers who have performed well have been able to turn the game in one or two overs. A couple of wickets can also make a difference,” adds Mccullum.
Young Barbadian fast bowler Jofra Archer, a T20 regular and favourite in several leagues says, “Your very first ball can get hit for a six. Every ball can be hit for a six because it is so intense, so quick. The boundaries are a bit smaller than normal as well and T10 is a batter’s game.”
Chris Gayle, playing for Kerala Knights, however, says the unpredictability is the same as T20s. “It is pretty much the same, same sort of insights and same nature. You have 10 wickets in hand so you have to go very hard at the top. “In T20s, you still have a chance to make a comeback,” says Shahid Afridi, explaining the margin of error is very slim.
SHARJAH HAS IT ALL
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium has a rich history, but hosting the T10 League brings a new flavour.
Punjabi dhols, Bollywood dance numbers, cheerleaders, lusty hits as well as fall of wickets are a hit among the fans, who have filled up the 15,000-capacity stadium close to the brim.
A benign wicket, cool breeze towards the end of the match and enthusiasm among cricketers and fans has seen contests of high intensity, ensuring cricket remains a hit in the desert.
There is no doubt players have taken a liking for T10 cricket, but what is more important for such new endeavours is to find new avenues to thrive.
“(A total of) 300 in a 50-over game was not so popular until T20 came. Now, 350-400 is the norm. Today in T10, one team scores 183 in 10 overs. This shows the evolution of every format,” says Shaji Ul Mulk, owner of the T10 League and board member in the Emirates Cricket Board.