Cricket Betting: T20 takes players out of their comfort zone

Bat and ball / Paul Moon / 25 June 2009 / 1

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Many remain concerned over the impact of Twenty20 on Test cricket but whether you love it or loathe it the short format has raised batting, bowling and fielding standards, writes Paul Moon.

Is Twenty20 good for cricket?

What cannot be denied is that everyone is talking about the sport again. The format has not only attracted a greater diversity of spectators to the game but it has also catered for a new generation of players.

Purists would argue that this estranges youngsters from the roots and principles of cricket. They claim that the T20 format will breed a player who relies on bludgeon rather than timing or recklessness instead of patience. Entering its fifth year as a legitimate international fixture, it is amazing how such a simple game has turned the financial, political, and tactical world of cricket on its head.

Properly handled T20 can energise the longer formats and then more importantly sustain them. Who could argue that it has not only raised performance levels regarding fitness, strength, speed and agility but it has introduced ingenuity and improvisation?

Batting is the main area where the purists fear a downturn in Test cricket finesse and, whilst I had initial reservations, they have been set aside by other factors.

T20 has exposed the batting impostor. Scratching around the crease, nudging and nurdling no longer appeal. T20 benefits batsmen who have more than one shot, it rewards those who can hit straight, score both sides of the wicket, read spin and play pace.

It rewards confidence, bravery and intelligence. Batsmen have been taken out of their comfort zone as mediocrity and drift become undesirable. This does not negate the skill of defence but shows that defence on its own is not enough. In effect, batsmen have to raise their game.

This applies to bowlers also. Of course, bowling to your field and accepting the pitch conditions are still paramount but reliance on a stock ball is both lazy and deficient so T20 is encouraging more variety. The slower ball is no longer a bit of fun and is now considered a wicket taking delivery. Yorkers have been rediscovered while bowling at the stumps has become fashionable.

Ground fielding and catching has dramatically improved since the introduction of limited over cricket but because of T20 it has gone to a new fantasy level never witnessed before. For example, check out this example of Angelo Mathews producing the most acrobatic piece of fielding I have ever seen!

And if catches win matches then look no further than Australian Adam Voges when his quick thinking enabled his side to beat New Zealand by one run at the SCG.

This level of fielding has been brought about solely because of T20. It has never happened before in the history of the game and it is only a matter of time before these actions are mirrored in Test cricket.

The Ashes series will be different from others for a variety of reasons but elements of T20 will inevitably surface. It remains to be seen who acclimatises first and best. I remain convinced that if England have the moral courage to play two spinners at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on 8 July 2009 then their chances of winning the first Test improve considerably. Latest Betfair prices for that match have England [3.9], Australia [2.32], and the draw at [3.1].

Australia are worthy favourites to win the Ashes series but the odds appear very short. Betfair show England [3.6], Australia [1.72] and the Draw [6.8]. Should England get team selection right for that first Test then an initial lay on Australia seems very attractive indeed.

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Betfair Arby | 30 June 2009

As a football and Racing nut I absolutely loved the twenty 20 cricket series , just what the doctor ordered . I dont think it does cricket any harm at all and although these only come round so often I wanted to see more. Many will say that it could harm test cricket ( rubbish )if you are good with the bat or with the ball the best players will shine through.

The Ashes is a different proposition Strauss v Ponting , Pietersen v Johnson ,Flintoff v Clarke and Swann v Hauritz and not forgetting the keepers Prior v Haddin , these are key battles and it will be interesting to see who comes out tops . Ponting will be without Warne and Mcgrath
and it will be a close call.
Pietersen will have to be patient and pick his strokes he can stay in all day if he does this,Johnson did get him out cheaply in the twenty 20 .
Clarkes average in the last 3 years is around 58
with 8 test tons and has shown brief touches of class. Flintoff has never dismissed Clarke in 10 tests so with him now being fit to play this could make for interesting reding .
Swann has made a remarkable start since his England debut and his 34 wickets would envy even shane Warne . The Aussies have turned to Nathan Hauritz hoping to take Warnes place but feel that Swann may come out tops.
Haddin has to follow the footsteps of Gilchrist no mean feat in itself , but he has averaged nearly 40 and taken some great catches, Prior although getting better with the bat his average is nearly 63 so again this wil be too close to call
My heart says England my head and Betfair say the Aussies .