England v Australia - Twenty20

[Zainub]

13-06-2005: England v Australia - Twenty20

I noticed this in the events for the next seven days...should be entertaining...would everyone go for standard one-day teams ...or any changes....you have to think Freddie will have to bat a little up the order...

[Andy Mellon]

Its at the Rose Bowl. Shouldn't expect too many runs from either side really!!!

Anyway, I'm seeing England vs Hampshire (also at the Rose Bowl) this Saturday. Should be a good one - though Hampshire haven't exactly excelled in the One Day game this year. Maybe England should play Totesport League leaders Essex for more of a challenge!!

[flanflinger]

Me and a few mates are off to the pub to watch the Twenty-20 , none of them genuine Cricket fans- should be very exciting. Hopefully will spread the audience for the game. Good choice as well to put it when there is no real football tournament, and I don't think Wimbledon will have started?

[Occasional Fan]

I wouldn't change anything except for numbers one to eleven. I see absolutely no point in risking injury to test players in this event.

[Zainub]

Oh common OF. It's going to be the first ever 20 Twenty game between the two nations - you've got get the big names in, Freddie at least, other wise I'm not going to watch ...I know you don't particularly like limited overs cricket...but still, this is a "historic" occasion

[Mongoose]

Too right. The fans deserve to see the stars. It will be a massive game in terms of the interest level, and it could attract more youngsters to watch the test series. I don't think there's a huge risk of injury in Twenty-20. The games are short, so the physical strain isn't too great.

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Wasim Akram, on bowling in 20 Twenty Cricket

Before I could warm up ...my overs were over

Yes, good point, the bowlers only have to bowl 4 overs anyway

[Occasional Fan]

It takes one ball for a batsman to break a finger and miss a test or two; one slide on the outfield to damage a bowler's knee and put him out of action for two years. One person I would not put there is Freddie. If he is going to break anything, let him at least do it in a good cause. I am not against Twenty20 in principle - I've never seen it, so it would be wrong of me to judge the game - but I am against risking front line players in this sideshow, however lucrative it might be. Other posters here have suggested that there should be separate ODI and test teams: I'm not 100% convinced, but I do see the argument. It may be illogical - in fact, as I try to look at it objectively, it is illogical - but if we have to move into these 20 over games at international level, I am convinced that it should be for the fourth XI to play. Australia, of course, can make their own minds up: I'll be just as sorry if we break any of their test players' fingers or if McGrath ends his career with a torn up knee. It would be a really sad way to lose The Ashes or end one's life on the field.

[Mongoose]

I can see where you're coming from, and I wouldn't want someone to miss the tests because of a Twenty-20 injury. I think my main reasons for wanting to see people in there are, as I've said, it'll be high profile and give the fans some real excitement, and that injuries are probably less likely to occur than in other forms of the game. Having said that, like you, I'd be cheesed off if Flintoff broke something playing this game and missed the Ashes as a result. Mmm ... you've put doubt into my mind ... I still say play the top guys though!

[Occasional Fan]

Mongoose - I am a Chartered Accountant, well known as being the most risk averse sub-species of homo sapiens on the planet! We're like actuaries without the sense of adventure.