Twenty20 cricket gets underway

The Twenty20 Cup, the English Cricket Board’s (ECB) initiative to speed the game up and bring it to a wider audience, commenced on 13 June with a match where Hampshire beat rivals Sussex by five runs at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

The new competition replaces the Benson & Hedges Cup in the domestic calendar and features two weeks of matches between 18 counties in three groups – the North, Mid/West/Wales and the South – with a finals day at Trent Bridge in July.

Each 20-over match will start at 5.30pm, with a 15-minute interval before the start of the second innings at 7pm, and each innings should last no longer than 75 minutes.

Amongst the rules of Twenty20 cricket are the imposition of a six-run penalty if a team fails to bowl the full number of overs within 75 minutes and the requirement for batsmen to be in position or take guard at the bowler’s end within 90 seconds of a wicket falling.

Also, only two fielders are allowed outside an inner circle for the first six overs of a team’s innings and umpires can impose a five-run penalty for time wasting by batsmen.

Microphone links between players and broadcasters – Sky, Channel 4 and BBC Radio – are a further development.

Sussex captain, Chris Adams, said: "In this format every player can lose his inhibitions and go for it. Twenty20 is no-holds-barred cricket and we’re ready to take on anyone!"

Tim Lamb, chief executive of the ECB, said: "I have no doubt that the Twenty20 Cup will have a significant impact on our domestic cricket this summer. With generous prize money on offer, the players have every incentive to go flat out to achieve success on the pitch."

He continued: "This is one of the most revolutionary and exciting initiatives undertaken by the ECB and the First Class Counties for many years."

The winners of the Twenty20 Cup will receive £42,000, the runners up £21,000 and the losing semi-finalists £10,000 each. Prizes will also be awarded to the best batsman, bowler and all-rounder.

In addition to the cricket, match venues will provide such attractions as music, promotions and barbecues, plus activities including bouncy castles and fancy dress for children.

The Rose Bowl opener was followed by a pop concert by Mis-Teeq and D’Side and Atomic Kitten are scheduled to appear at the finals day. Details: www.ecb.co.uk