The Twenty20 game seems to have to come of age overnight. The best players, a fast game, animated franchise owners, passionate fans, cheerleaders, and big money. A lifelong cricket fan looks at this game and immediately gets excited that cricket has made it to the big-time ranks like American baseball, football or basketball.
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What’s the successful formula? Well, to begin with it’s great uniforms, all the name players, a smart format, and boundaries and wickets from the first ball. To see a team bat first, the Deccan Chargers with Laxman, Gilchrist, Afridi, Symonds and Sharma in its top five; to see these players normally so competitive against each other, suddenly teammates, is quite a departure from traditional thinking -- but IPL is anything but “traditional.” The other side (Rajasthan Royals) is captained by Shane Warne, arguably the best captain never to officially captain his country.
What’s the successful formula? Well, to begin with it’s great uniforms, all the name players, a smart format, and boundaries and wickets from the first ball. To see a team bat first, the Deccan Chargers with Laxman, Gilchrist, Afridi, Symonds and Sharma in its top five; to see these players normally so competitive against each other, suddenly teammates, is quite a departure from traditional thinking -- but IPL is anything but “traditional.” The other side (Rajasthan Royals) is captained by Shane Warne, arguably the best captain never to officially captain his country.
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Suddenly there are other countries looking at the concept. Could we see two or perhaps three of these tournaments per year, every year? Could this format squeeze out the more traditional Test and One-Day formats? Could we see teams fielded from cities across the world?
Suddenly there are other countries looking at the concept. Could we see two or perhaps three of these tournaments per year, every year? Could this format squeeze out the more traditional Test and One-Day formats? Could we see teams fielded from cities across the world?
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What I think is brilliant about this development is it is exciting. All the colour, all the razzmatazz, and all the quality players from all different countries, all in one spot, playing ‘a sort of hybrid world cup.’
What I think is brilliant about this development is it is exciting. All the colour, all the razzmatazz, and all the quality players from all different countries, all in one spot, playing ‘a sort of hybrid world cup.’
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Will the world embrace this game? India sure has. I’m up at 1.10 A.M. watching this game, but that’s no real surprise. Cricket is a game that brings the spirit alive!
Will the world embrace this game? India sure has. I’m up at 1.10 A.M. watching this game, but that’s no real surprise. Cricket is a game that brings the spirit alive!
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Who'll win it? Rank outsiders Rajasthan are my tip.
Who'll win it? Rank outsiders Rajasthan are my tip.
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Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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