Twenty20 cricket

Twenty20 cricket
Djr xi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Twenty20
First	2003
Administrator	International Cricket Council
Format	Limited overs cricket
Balls	120
Overs	20 per innings

Twenty20 cricket is a short-form variant of limited overs cricket designed to produce fast-paced contests suitable for stadium spectators and television audiences. Originating in England and Wales Cricket Board competitions, it rapidly spread through international bodies such as the International Cricket Council and franchise organizations like the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket Australia. The format influenced player careers exemplified by figures associated with England national cricket team, India national cricket team, Australia national cricket team, and domestic entities such as Mumbai Indians, Sydney Sixers, and Kolkata Knight Riders.

History

The format was introduced in 2003 by the England and Wales Cricket Board to boost attendances at County Championship venues and compete with other sports spectacles. Early adoption by counties including Sussex County Cricket Club and matches featuring players from Australia national cricket team and West Indies cricket team showcased explosive batting and inventive bowling. The International Cricket Council later embraced the format with the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, where teams such as India national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team took part. Franchise tournaments proliferated after entrepreneurs and broadcasters including Star India and ESPN Star Sports invested in leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL), which featured marquee figures from South Africa national cricket team, New Zealand national cricket team, and Sri Lanka national cricket team.

Format and rules

Matches consist of two innings of 20 overs each, with each over comprising six legal deliveries bowled by players registered with governing bodies including the International Cricket Council and national boards like the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Australian Cricketers' Association. Powerplay regulations involve fielding restrictions enforced by umpires from the International Cricket Council panel, while methods such as the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method apply in rain-affected contests overseen by match referees appointed by bodies like the Marylebone Cricket Club. Player contracts in franchise leagues are governed by auction or draft systems introduced by organizers including the Punjab Kings management and administration frameworks used by Big Bash League administrators. Innovations such as strategic time-outs and batting powerplays were trialed in tournaments organized by entities like England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa.

Competitions and leagues

Major international competitions include the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, bringing together teams such as England women's cricket team, Australia women's national cricket team, India women's national cricket team, and New Zealand women's national cricket team. Prominent domestic leagues include the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League, the Caribbean Premier League, the Pakistan Super League, the Lanka Premier League, the Vitality Blast, and the Bangladesh Premier League, which feature franchises like Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Trinbago Knight Riders, Peshawar Zalmi, and Comilla Victorians. Emerging competitions such as the Major League Cricket in the United States national cricket team market and the Euro T20 Slam attempts illustrate expansion efforts backed by investors and broadcasters including Liberty Media and regional boards like Cricket Ireland.

Records and statistics

Individual record-holders and milestones are maintained by statisticians from organizations such as ESPNcricinfo and Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. Notable batting achievements include highest individual scores and strike rates recorded by players like those associated with India national cricket team franchises, while bowling records feature best figures by bowlers representing England national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team. Team records encompass highest totals and successful chases achieved by sides including Mumbai Indians and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. Career aggregates for runs and wickets in franchise circuits are led by players contracted to teams such as Kolkata Knight Riders and Melbourne Stars, with awards like the Player of the Tournament and Purple Cap and Orange Cap distinctions presented in competitions administered by bodies like the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Impact and criticism

The format reshaped broadcasting strategies pursued by networks such as Star India and Sky Sports and influenced scheduling by national boards including the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket Australia, affecting the calendars of India national cricket team and England national cricket team. Critics from institutions like players' associations and traditionalist commentators at outlets such as Wisden Cricketers' Almanack argue that the format can compress tactics and prioritize entertainment over classical techniques associated with Test cricket institutions including the Marylebone Cricket Club, while proponents cite revenue growth for franchises like Chennai Super Kings and development pathways for athletes in West Indies cricket team and associate members like Ireland national cricket team. Debates involve governance by the International Cricket Council and commercial interests represented by entities like IMG and Renaissance Capital.

Category:Cricket formats