Packer investigates Twenty20

Kerry Packer, the man who started World Series Cricket, has launched an investigation into Twenty20, cricket's newest contender for a revolution, the Courier-Mail reported. The newspaper said Packer, the owner of Nine, which broadcasts international cricket in Australia, called Shane Warne for his opinion as he tried to assess whether the game was a fad or phenomenon.

Tony Greig, who helped Packer set up World Series Cricket in the 70s, was unsure whether Packer had begun an investigation, but said he was always looking at where the game was heading. "He has always got his fingers on the pulse," Greig told the newspaper. "Last year, all the Nine commentators were asked by Kerry what we thought could be done to improve the limited-over game."

Crowds have packed stadiums when Twenty20 has been offered this summer while the VB Series, the tournament that grew from WSC, has looked tired and matches between Pakistan and West Indies were scheduled for day timeslots. Cricket Australia, which announced an interstate Twenty20 tournament this week, is reviewing all its sponsorship and television rights in April.