Cricket's Gold - The best T20I spectacle to date - Part 1 - Opinion ...

Cricket's Gold - The best T20I spectacle to date - Part 1 - Opinion

The concept of staging a T20 World Cup bordered on the preposterous and was considered absurd by many experts who considered it to be incompatible with the pressing realities of cricket. Today in 2012, cricket fans world over tend to eagerly anticipate a box office T20 tournament to come their way. They would certainly benefit from a spectacle in the Emerald Isle in just over a month?s time, yet there is no denying the fact that the interest that has been generated for the game today has evolved from humble beginnings. The fast paced, adrenaline charged, pocket sized and exciting version that is known as the T20 World Cup in modern times, has drawn many passionate supporters and has been the most conspicuous format in the history of the game. It is safe to say that the concept of blaring music, cheerleaders and hard hats worn by the supporters, stems back from the inaugural ICC World T20 of 2007 which took place in South Africa. The manner in which that tournament paved out was a significant factor in ensuring that the T20 World Cup stays on the map.

The inaugural tournament could not have been hosted by a better place. A nation as diverse and mad about sport as South Africa was bound to ensure that a spectacle takes place. Prior to this tournament, just a handful of T20s had been played in various bilateral encounters and the concept itself had invited its fair share of criticism from a few quarters. The impracticalities of staging World Test Championships in the past were equated with the absurdity of having ICC World T20 championships. The ICC as a body however, was known to gamble and decided to experiment further by giving the go to the tournament. It proved to be a canny decision as it tested the viability of the T20 format as a concept. Much to the delight of T20 advocates, the tournament became a blockbuster hit. The games were spread out on three beautiful venues, of which each of them offered a unique playing experience. ?

Kingsmead, Newlands and the Wanderers were the venues which set the stage for a month of swashbuckling action. Tumbling wickets, towering sixes and incredible catches were taken in front of a cricket mad audience. By the time the Final took place at Joburg on the 24^th of September, the entire world was already overwhelmed by a format that was considered as the ?complete package.?

The first game of the inaugural tournament between hosts South Africa and the West Indies saw Chris Gayle of the Windies smash a brutal hundred in the very first innings of the match, and of the tournament. That hundred, followed by South Africa?s magnificent run chase, had already set the stage for a spectacle that the world would be astounded by. Chris Gayle?s thunderous hitting meant that he became the first person in the history of the game and the format to score a T20 century, which in itself was a breathtaking achievement. The detractors of the T20 game were briefly silenced after Gayle managed to deposit some of the thriftiest of South African bowlers to all parts of the Wanderers Stadium. South Africa?s response was equally enthralling as a ridiculous target of 206 to chase in 20 overs was done with inelegant ease. One of the stars of the preceding year, Herschelle Gibbs, smashed a brutal 90 runs to seal the deal for the hosts which set the tone for the rest of the games.

Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Crickets-Gold-The-best-T20I-spectacle-to-date-Part-1-Opinion-a181300

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