Don't Belittle Stanford's Contribution
Thu, Sep 7, '06
When Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford announced his US$28 million programme for West Indies cricket, there were many who doubted it would serve to develop the game in the region.
But as the respective cricket boards began to throw in their weight, and as information began unfolding on how the money will be spent, the programme took off in every one of the 19 participating territories.
For those who may still not be aware, apart from prize monies, the Stanford 20/20 programme for 2006 provided an initial $100,000 to each territory, as well as a further $15,000 per month to support players and coaches and maintenance of facilities.
The reality is that world cricket has begun a new era with the advent of the 20-20 format of the game. Some have suggested it will pass away, but others recognise it is something that can take cricket to the rest of the world.
The 20-20 cricket game was invented in the United Kingdom, and it has now been tested on the road.
The Stanford 20-20 programme succeeded in making the game quite a spectacle in the West Indies, displayed young talent, and demonstrated significant resurgence in the interest and excitement of fans, both at the ground and via television.
No doubt, the more 20-20 cricket is played, team skills will get better, and it has the potential to become even more attractive than the 50-over game. Three hours and game over, as opposed to a full day?s play in the 50-over format, or even longer yet, the five-day games.
There have been some who were unsure about the new format, ranging from critics like Australian Doug Walters to West Indian Michael Holding, who has reportedly refused to watch or commentate on 20-20 games.
One of the criticisms is that the game is a slogfest, looking more like backyard cricket than a professional match, and that it is a game for batsmen not bowlers.
On the contrary, it is a fast-paced game in which bowlers have to restrict batsmen's scoring, fielders have to run to their positions more quickly, and batsmen are not at liberty to merely slog, as a team could end up being bowled out before their allotted 20 overs.
Further, batsmen are allowed only 90 seconds between wickets, there are no water breaks, and only 20 minutes are allowed between innings. Those who watched the games would recognise that genuine cricketing shots were by far the more productive than wild slogs.
20-20 cricket can also be used for developmental purposes in tapping emerging new markets, which are not used to sporting events that go for as long as five-day tests. As such, a three-hour package can be very enticing, as the emphasis is on providing more fun and better value for money for the fans.
When Kerry Packer had the idea of getting international test sides to play one-day games against each other, cricket was changed forever, and it has not looked back ever since. The 50-over-a-side concept was a winner with fans and players, and has been credited with lifting the standards of the game, particularly fielding. And the 50-over games also had its critics.
But after some years, many cricket analysts suggested that quite a few 50-over games were beginning to look monotonous. Consequently, fielding restrictions and even a brief experiment with super-subs were brought in to spice up the game.
20-20 cricket is an altogether new game, which has brought with it new challenges, and the critics are likely to be left behind if they cannot see its benefits.
It cannot be said any simpler or more profound than 20-20 cricket is here to stay.
Stanford?s contribution to West Indies cricket therefore cannot simply be measured by the amount of expenditure he incurred, even though as substantial as it was, it could stand alone.
And away from the field of play, the treatment Stanford meted out to the legends was quite unlike what any other Government in the region, or institution, or individual has ever done for these great men, who once made West Indies cricket great.
In fact, the investment Stanford is injecting into regional cricket, never mind what he will make out of it, is a way of ensuring that the West Indies will not have to play catch up with the rest of the cricketing world, which is already 20-20 compatible.
West Indies cricket is already playing catch up in many other areas!