The reality behind hit-and-giggle

REVERSE SWING

Twenty20 is coming, if only because it will revive interest in a game that is otherwise on the wane.

The Twenty20 match between India and South Africa on December 1 had to be played under the moniker of Pro20 because sponsor Standard Bank discovered that there was a bank called Twenty20 in existence.

But call it by any name, the 20-overs-a-side game (purists dismiss it as hit-and-giggle cricket) has broken new ground. In fact, by becoming the only limited-overs game won by India on the tour, cricket's biggest new fad since limited-over matches began in 1969 may have scored a psychological six over the longer version.

Two years ago, a staggering 20,071 people packed the WACA ground in Perth to see Western Australia beat Victoria in the first competitive Twenty20 match played in Australia.

The gates were shut a half-hour before the first ball. This was WACA's first full house since 1981. The next day, a crowd of 21,254 thronged the Adelaide Oval to see Australia-A pound Pakistan by 56 runs in the first international Twenty20 match.

Even as the longest version of the game continues to enjoy a committed following in Australia, its administrative set-up, undoubtedly the most far-sighted in the world, made room for Twenty20 partly in response to a McKinsey & Co report that the game was not growing. TV ratings have fallen, attendance is low and women and children are struggling to stay interested in it.

IN THE subcontinent, the 100-over game continues to draw packed houses. As such, there may not be much motivation to innovate. In some quarters there are fears of the game being diluted further, beyond the "damage" already caused by the 100-over game.

It may not be possible to deny Twenty20 some room in our crowded calendar. Interest in Tests has been dwindling. Domestic cricket, with its three-day and one-day matches, is in a shambles. Even one-day internationals are being looked upon as stale and predictable.

Twenty20 takes out the middle overs and serves a sizzling dish of just the initial and slog overs with nothing stale in between. The matches get over in three hours and are played in the evening under lights "" perfect for drawing families that would otherwise head for the cinema, theatre, an eatery or the beach.

The one-day game has without doubt improved the game by raising the bar in fielding, running between the wickets and rate of scoring, and over time made Test matches more result-oriented. Twenty20 is bound to add its own flavour.