The changing nature of cricket

The POST, Sun, Jun,01, 2008.

Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema

Since the advent of 20Twenty cricket, a debate is raging among the cricket lovers whether or not the game is dying or flourishing or assuming a new character. Those who feel rather strongly about the original shape of the game feel that both the one day and 20 Twenty matches have destroyed both the game and its spirit.

Originally cricket was the product of colonialists who had lot of time to kill and insatiable desire for regular social gatherings. The three day regular matches and the five day tests provided sufficient incentives to promote the game. Invariably many matches ended the drawn games which did not invoke any adverse reaction among the admirers of the game.

The advent of one day matches did invoke some reaction among the ardent supporters of the original game but it was more like a grudging criticism primarily because the advent of one day game was the product nature and not a man made device. However it soon became rather popular to the extent that world cup was also organized on the bases of one day game. The one day games are watched many fans of the game all over the world including those countries which are not as cricketing countries.

The latest change in the game of cricket is known as 20Twenty. In a one day game each side was allocated fifty over whereas in 20Tenty game each sides is only twenty over.
The limited over games has been gradually gaining popularity over the years. Perhaps the major attraction in this kind of game was that it had now become a result orientated game.

In the past cricket rarely produced results but the performances enabled the cricketers to gain handful of admirers. Some even argued that the game that was devised to kill time and encourage social gathering was not much concerned with results. Some times even after the five day match the result did not appear near but it invoked no reaction among those cherish the original game.

The advent of both 50 and 20 0vers games was initially hailed as a result orientated contest. Besides, it was recognized that the increased pressures that have been generated by the changing world environment do not allow much times to spare. As everything else was acquiring instant characteristics, it is not too far fetched to assume that some people may have had thoughts on how to make cricket more attractive.

The advent of 20Twenty form of the game has further saved time. Now the game appears to have become restricted to just about three hours game which is no different than the most popular game of the world-namely football.

The reduction of time limited has in many ways suited many people who loved to watch the game but could not afford to spend the entire day out of office or home. To watch a traditional cricket match entails spending three days implying that they had to take leave whereas neither the one day game nor the 20Twenty game require such a long absence from work or home.

With the restricted nature of over and limited time, not only it attracted the betting but also the huge crowds. As far as the electronic media was concerned it was already covering both the regular matches along with tests series, but one would rarely see a sizable crowds in the grounds.

The next remarkable development is the way the Indians have organized two 20Twenty tournaments. Among them the Indian Premier League (IPL) has certainly been hit which attracted huge crowds. Just as the English County cricket sign up player from all over the world for their regular season, the IPL engaged known players from various cricketing nations.

The league has not only allowed the players to earn impressive amount money somewhat similar in the football leagues but also invoked many interests among the people. Many fans who had opted to be glued to TV screens did venture out to the grounds. Besides it was refreshing to see the crowds appreciating players from different countries with a similar enthusiasm that was, hitherto, only demonstrated for local players.

Apart from Bal Thackeray’s somewhat undesired and irresponsible statement, there was hardly any responsible politician who expressed great disapproval of engaging Pakistani players for the tournament by the sponsors. It is possible that Bal Thackeray’s statement that Pakistani players should be sent back may be the desire to make some political capital but ostensibly it did not cut much ice with most people.

One of the reasons that are advanced for the huge success of the IPL tournament has been the involvement of some famous personalities of the Bollywood. Undoubtedly the star attraction was a factor that may have attracted some fans to the grounds but by and large it was the restricted nature of the game that attracted many people to venture out.

Equally significant development is the fact that it has for the first time shifted part of the focus from England to India. Such tournaments may be organized in future in different parts of the world. It would not be great surprise that such tournament may attract many non cricketing nations to hold such tournaments.

20Twenty cricket may attract crowds and money but it would also affect the spirit of the game such as placid aspects of the game. Race for engaging great cricketers may come to the forefront provided such tournaments are regularly organized. But a game of limited over would eventually turn out to be less attractive for spin bowlers. For spin bowlers a game of many over is still deemed to be much more attractive. In addition all batsmen would have to focus more on skill how to get quick runs.

Undoubtedly the one day and 20twenty matches have radically impacted upon the true nature of the game but just as all things change, the changes in cricket should also be taken in stride. It has become more exciting and result orientated. It is now possible that a regular world cup would also be held in 20Twenty cricket. Indeed the cricket is changing and the change could be viewed both positive as well as negatively.

The writer works for Islamabad Policy research Institute.