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Twenty20 Cup
John Murray, readaBet.com
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2003-06-13
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TWENTY20 VISION FOR SURREY |
“Crash Bang Cricket” hits our screens from Friday when the revolutionary Twenty20 Cup begins at county grounds across the country. Over twelve days, the eighteen counties, who are split into three groups (Northern, Midlands, Southern), will do battle in a series of twenty-over matches. Each group winner, and the best-placed runner-up, will then qualify for the semi-finals before the overall winner is established.
This innovatory competition, which replaces the Benson & Hedges Cup in the domestic calendar, is designed to produce colourful cricket and attract a bigger, younger audience. In order to increase the excitement, there are various new rules; for instance, no bowler can have more than five overs, while each incoming batsman has ninety seconds to be ready to face his first ball.
Purists will no doubt hate the sped-up format – matches will last for a maximum of three hours – but the need for teams to score runs quickly is sure to be a winner with many viewers. There is no precedent of this kind of game in England, and so we can only assume that the counties who fare well will have big-hitting batsmen and a tight bowling attack.
It is no shock that Surrey are the 13/2 favourites to lift the inaugural trophy. Arguably the best side in the country in both formats, their side oozes international talent and competition for places is intense. Of the batsmen, Ali Brown should love the shortened version of the game, while Adam Hollioake has been in thunderous scoring mode ever since the death of his brother Ben. Graham Thorpe, nearing his best and hungry for an England recall, should make a big impression, while Ian Ward and Mark Ramprakash are just two more precocious talents.
These men can all score quick runs, and with the support of an exceptional bowling attack, Surrey promise to go far in this tournament. They currently lead the standings in the top division of both the county and national league championships, and despite their favourites’ tag, Hollioake’s team seem worth backing.
Elsewhere in the Southern group, Essex (16/1) are enjoying a good year and could pose a threat. Openers Andy Flower and Will Jefferson have shown some of the best form among batsmen across the country. Meanwhile, Kent will always be a danger with the huge-hitting Andrew Symonds.
Up North, people may immediately assume that Lancashire will be in with a chance, with Andrew Flintoff certain to open the batting. When you consider that the multi-talented Carl Hooper and Stuart Law will support the powerful England all-rounder, as well as the tight bowling of James Anderson, the case for the 10/1 Red Roses looks strong.
As usual, their main challengers should be rivals Yorkshire. The likes of England one-day captain Michael Vaughan, Anthony McGrath, and Yuvraj Singh, form the basis of a strong batting line-up, while Darren Gough heads the bowling.
Finally, Gloucestershire are the 5/2 favourites to top the Midlands group. The side still contains many of the players who were crucial to the county’s one-day domination a couple of years ago, and they are going well again after a spell in the second division. The threat may come from in-form one-day outfit Worcestershire, although they will be without the services of the inspirational Graeme Hick. |
| Betting Verdict |
2pts Surrey to win Twenty20 Cup at
Favourites they may be, but Surrey look a class apart this year from the rest of the counties. They lead the way in both championships, and in Ali Brown, Adam Hollioake, and Graham Thorpe, Surrey have three batsmen who should be ideally suited to this format. |
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