The Future Of English Cricket

Having brought the game of Twenty20 cricket to afounded in 8 British cities.
wider audience, cricket administrators in England mustSuch a competition would appear to be a real threat
now be concerned that this form of the game mayto the cricketing establishment. For years, organised
be about to change the entire landscape of thecricket in this country has had the county sides at its
sport. What does the future hold?heart.
When cricketers are paying paid more than a millionHints that they may not be so central to its future
dollars to play for a few weeks of the year then wewill offer concerns to some and opportunities to
know that times are changing. The launch of theothers. Are we about to see the County
Indian Premier League, backed with plenty of finance,Championship, for instance, coming to an end?
is changing things at a rapid pace.With many forms of the game struggling to attract
Many note that India has quickly become the centrespectators, it would be no great surprise if the
of the cricketing world, although it's been noticeablepopular Twenty20 version continues to push things in
that the English authorities have been keen thata different direction.
England players should not compete in the newSome would suggest that the sport cannot survive
competition in India.unless it embraces change. They wonder whether it
Despite this, there can be no doubt that Twenty20can continue when so few spectators are to be
has captured the public imagination. What changesfound at some domestic matches.
can we expect here in England?Cricket fans are left to wonder about the direction in
There's been a lot of talk about a similar competitionwhich the sport is heading.
to the IPL being created in England, with teams being