Where is this format really at? Obviously, the IPL is still very big. But here in Australia? The Big Bash is doing pretty well, depending on your point of view. In the past, domestic cricket got barely any attention. But in 2013/2014, Big Bash matches were getting anywhere between 10k to 40k attendances and averaged a little less than a million viewers per game on TV.
But then look at the recent international T20s against South Africa. First international match of the summer, and Adelaide draws 26k. Ok... Adelaide is not a huge town. What about the second match at the MCG? Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia, could only muster 22k. And Sydney? Third match of the series, teams level at 1-1 and only 25k turn out.
Is the format of the game an issue? Is it just a problem with cricket in Australia generally? Or are CA to blame?
Personally, I don't mind the format. But I hate the way it is being managed by CA, and "packaged" as a product. Way, way too much hype and not enough effort on producing quality games. While I appreciate that most of the Test side wouldn't make the Australian T20 side, I still thought the scheduling of the recent series was completely idiotic.
And some of the selections seem a bit... haphazard. eg, Dunk gets selected as our T20 keeper on the basis of a double century in the domestic one day competition. But then gets ditched in favour of Wade for the international one-dayers? Are we taking T20s seriously? Or are they just a proving ground for up-and-coming players? In that case, why play White?
And don't get me started on the disco dancers, BMX riders, trampolines and fireworks. Whoever is responsible for that crap, CA or 9, please... make it stop. Is it really building a fan base? Or just alienating the traditionalists?
Is CA killing the goose that laid the golden egg? Is there something else afoot? Or are T20's perfectly healthy, and I'm reading the signals incorrectly?
But then look at the recent international T20s against South Africa. First international match of the summer, and Adelaide draws 26k. Ok... Adelaide is not a huge town. What about the second match at the MCG? Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia, could only muster 22k. And Sydney? Third match of the series, teams level at 1-1 and only 25k turn out.
Is the format of the game an issue? Is it just a problem with cricket in Australia generally? Or are CA to blame?
Personally, I don't mind the format. But I hate the way it is being managed by CA, and "packaged" as a product. Way, way too much hype and not enough effort on producing quality games. While I appreciate that most of the Test side wouldn't make the Australian T20 side, I still thought the scheduling of the recent series was completely idiotic.
And some of the selections seem a bit... haphazard. eg, Dunk gets selected as our T20 keeper on the basis of a double century in the domestic one day competition. But then gets ditched in favour of Wade for the international one-dayers? Are we taking T20s seriously? Or are they just a proving ground for up-and-coming players? In that case, why play White?
And don't get me started on the disco dancers, BMX riders, trampolines and fireworks. Whoever is responsible for that crap, CA or 9, please... make it stop. Is it really building a fan base? Or just alienating the traditionalists?
Is CA killing the goose that laid the golden egg? Is there something else afoot? Or are T20's perfectly healthy, and I'm reading the signals incorrectly?