20 Twenty Tournament

20-20, which is 20 over a side cricket, has taken the World of Cricket by storm. It was first introduced in England last year to arrest the dwindling crowds that were attending the county scene and that an enormous success it has been. The crowds started coming in huge numbers and the grounds were all packed with plenty of entertainment for the family. The game was televised with various new innovations to keep the young and the old entertained in the drawing rooms.

South Africa took over after that in having a 20 over tournament for their first class teams and it was an immediate hit. Television played a big part and the game has come to stay there as well.

The concept is for the match to be completed in three hours. It's like a restricted 50 over game. Each team has eleven members and bats 20 overs. A field restriction of nine within thirty yards applies for six overs, and a bowler could bowl a maximum of four overs. The penalty for an overstepping no ball is an additional delivery. Which is a free hit for the batsman, where he cannot be out. In order to see that the overs are bowled within the stipulated 1.5 hours per side the incoming batsman has to be at the crease within 90 seconds.

Sri Lanka schools saw a 20 over tournament last year and the Premier clubs are the next to jump the bandwagon. Sixteen Premier teams took part in a first round yesterday to decide the semi finalists. The interest was huge with almost all the national players representing their respective clubs.

Taj Television (Ten Sports) has come up to televise the semi finals and the finals at the R. Premadasa Stadium on the 2nd and 3rd September, before the National Cricketers leave for the ICC Trophy in England.

It will be a huge extravaganza with the telecast FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 OVER CRICKET GOING WORLD WIDE ON TELEVISION.

It t is an event where the spectator too gets involved and there will be plenty for them. South Africa saw Pop groups and other entertainment on the grounds. The captains will be taking to the commentators while the game is going on, indicating their strategy. You have to be there to savor the mood, support your favorite cricketers and clubs. Who knows we may see a world 20 over tournament in the not too distant future.