England's T20 'old fashioned' says Murali

[Gabbar Singh]

Silly idea imo. The history and tradition of the county set up is what makes it good. At least players have a tie to a particularly county as opposed to being treated like a piece of meat in some auction.

Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka's record-breaking spin bowler, has dismissed England's Twenty20 format as "old fashioned" and called for it to adopt the franchise format favoured by the IPL. Muralitharan is about to begin his second season with Gloucestershire in Friends Life t20 and as the competition begins he has risked a storm by suggesting that they should merge with their fiercest rivals Somerset. "That would be good as they are close counties and they would benefit financially," he said. The ECB insists that the 18-county system is sacrosanct yet England players play little, if any, domestic T20 cricket because of an international programme that dominates the entire summer. England's T20 tournament was an innovative product when it launched in 2003, but Muralitharan argued that it has now fallen behind rival tournaments around the world. "They introduced it worldwide but now England is old-fashioned," he told BBC Points West. "They need to change and become franchised teams and each county would benefit financially. If it happens like that it would be huge in England. I think the market is there, and the TV rights will come." Muralitharan, 40, has a wealth of experience on his side. As well as Sri Lanka his clubs include Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kochi Tuskers, Chittagong Kings, Kandurata, Lancashire and Wellington. Since its inception in 2003, the game has been adapted worldwide, taking on several different guises. But the FLt20 will struggle to make impact this summer, not just competing against England's unrelenting schedule but the European football championships and London's hosting of the Olympics. Debate is still going on about the structure of England's T20 tournament in 2013, but this season the 18 counties, restricted to a maximum of two overseas players, play 10 matches in three groups of six before reaching the quarterfinal stages. Muralitharan even suggested that England's T20 competition was lagging behind Bangladesh, a competition that has been characterised by a stand off between FICA, the international players' association, and the BCB over owed player payments. "Bangladesh launched it big and their crowds have been 30-40,000 for every match," he said. "Australia has merged into eight franchises so I think England should also do that and it could equal IPL." Muralitharan starts his second spell with Gloucestershire on Thursday against local rivals Somerset, and believes merging the two counties to become a T20 franchise would be a good move. "At the end of the day the public will see good cricket and enjoy it," he said. "Money will be spinning from the competition and they can sustain the other forms of the game within county cricket. It would be one of the best things to happen if they do that. It will make sure the competition is more successful than what it is now."

http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-c...ry/568264.html

[Saurav]

looks like someone isnt being paid enough

[freelance_cricketer]

Enjoyed it in beginning, last few seasons seemed quite low quality to me.

[Asiacup2012]

county first-class and PRO40 is the best compare to T20.

[SOSami]

FL T20 still based primarily on the cricket and bringing the sport to the masses.

Been to a lot of Friends Life T20 matches and they are brilliant at what they do - good simple cricket. Just need better weather.

[James]

World Cup holders and number one ranked side, things seem to be going okay.

[style_guru]

Originally Posted by James World Cup holders and number one ranked side, things seem to be going okay.

Is bankruptcy still hovering over any English County?

[Amjid Javed]

T20s and in particualar finals day is always well attended in the UK.

Maybe the format needs a slight tweeking but otherwise its doing well.

[Myrmidon]

the friends provident is brilliant to watch

no clue what he is on about

also they have won a t20 world cup which only two other teams have before them

[Zaini]

HAHA LOL! he is talking as if T20 is 200 years old, we dont need any more ipl style tournaments. Besides the t20 played in england is of high quality and entertaining.

[James]

Originally Posted by bruce wayne so was india about a year ago. hope you guys can do better, though the series in uae would be a scar on your credentials. lets see what happens in november.

What series in the UAE? The one that we won 2-1? This is a thread about T20s, where we are ranked number one, hold the World Cup and have won our games everywhere. We even beat India in India.

Non-comments from Murali.

[Random Aussie]

He is probably disappointed that they play old fashioned cricket, what with the bowler bowling the ball and all....

[Lethalweapon]

Originally Posted by James What series in the UAE? The one that we won 2-1? This is a thread about T20s, where we are ranked number one, hold the World Cup and have won our games everywhere. We even beat India in India. Non-comments from Murali.

Last 2-3 years,
Your top T20 players like KP,Swann rarely played Local T20 tournament. but have not missed any internationals except Morgan.
In India's case some better T20 players have been either injured (Sehwag,Yuvi) for a long time or are not selected (Kohli,Ashwin ) or selected late. India's Int'l T20 team has never been good (our great captain yet to get a '50' in them). playing 'only' 6-7 int'l t20s in last 2 years has not helped either. tha is lesser than the associates.

[Desi]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie He is probably disappointed that they play old fashioned cricket, what with the bowler bowling the ball and all....

*like*