A recent post by Matt, over on Six and Out has really got be thinking about this new Twenty20 "break away" Indian Cricket League (ICL) thats taking shape. I commented on Matt's blog, that "it seems more like a Rebel Tour than Kerry Packer's World Series" but on further reflection, I'm wondering whether that will turn out to be correct.
Certainly, hind-sight will be a wonderful thing in a year to two, however when you think more about it, there are certainly some striking parallels and possibly a few advantages that even WSC didn't have going for it in 1977.
Clearly, the ICL isn't aiming as high as was WSC 30 years ago. They are selecting a few internationals, a few Indian stars and playing young Indian talent. They haven't quite created the "them vs us" scenario of 1977 where players were forced to choose which camp to sign on to.
The timing for the ICL could turn out to be the key should it take off. Firstly, there is a crop of recently retired big names available, still fighting fit and ready to play, and probably keen to finance the next 40 years of their lives as the harsh reality of retirement sets in. Signing Warne and/or McGrath, with Lara guarantees a certain amount of success, at least in terms of ratings.
Secondly, there is a Twenty20 World cup in September this year. Twenty20 will be in the forefront of everyone's minds, and interest in cricket in India will be at fever-pitch (it always is I know, but on the back of a tour of England, and the eve of a tour of Australia and the whole cricketing world still thinking Twenty20, the appetite for any games will be immense.)
Couple the good timing factor, with the money and immense, cricket crazed population of India and you have a recipe for something that, 30 years from now, could have had more impact even than Kerry Packer's World Series cricket. What if the ICL then starts experimenting with other formats - ODI's with 15 per side (interchanges and so on), 4, or 6 day "Test" matches. Who knows?
The biggest threat to any longevity will be the supply of players. Certainly the likes of Warne, McGrath and Lara are a once off. How long do they have to establish and secure a base of quality players - not long. This is the challenge? The format they have chosen is smart though. A few internationals, a couple of local stars and then local talent. History shows, money can solve that problem. Maybe this format could even franchise around the world. Retired / retiring players could sign on for a couple of years to just, finance retirement and tour the world one last time. (Perhaps a threat to those counties in England that traditionally sign the like of Darren Lehmann, Lance Klusener, and so on.) I have no idea if this is the model the ICL may be dreaming of, basically this has turned into a ramble, but should something come of it, you heard it hear first ;-)
As I said at the outset, hind-sight will be a wonderful thing. This initiative will go one way or the other...spectacularly.
World Series Cricket - 30 years on, 30 overs off
That's what I call a wag in the tail
At 6 for 224, you'd feel pretty good about things in a four day game...how about this for a finish? 7th and 8th wicket stands of 200+. I suppose Notts are in good stead, comparitively, at 2 for 191 :-) (891 runs in 2 days - wow!)
Oh Dear!
Quite a mismatch this, with Bangladesh still showing they are a long way from real Test "seriousness" - all out for 62! Murali the big fish in a small pond yet again...
Geoff Lawson to coach Pakistan?
I really hope Geoff Lawson gets the job coaching Pakistan - if only, to never hear him commentate on the ABC ever again...
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