Wait, what sports? From a guy whose name rhymes with Sharon and has the hand-eye co-ordination of a blind coma patient? Yes dammit, sports. Now I may not have any idea who the current national team captain is or what LBW means, but I do know that I can easily sit down and enjoy a rapid-fire game of cricket where each side has a mere 20 overs to play.
I’ve found myself at St Georges Park several times watching while the crowd favourite brass band spun some sweet tunes to get the atmosphere headed towards a fever pitch of excitement. And it works. There’s just something about T20 cricket that is fun and catchy. This idea that every blow with the piece of a wood that is oddly narrow yet wide has to result in a six.
It’s also far, far superior to your regular test cricket, a week-long event of guys standing around in white clothes as the runs trickle in. Sweet Don Bradman that is just cricket at its worst when compared to some fresh T20 innings. Boring, tedious and time-consuming stuff that’s about as exciting as a slideshow of your relative’s vacation to Bloemfontein. Or is it? Is T20 ruining the game, or is a more limited format more appealing to you in a world where you have less time to dedicate towards leisure activities?
Is T20 cricket just a better version of an otherwise stuffy game that only appeals to purists and the stiffest of upper lips? Or is a regular one-day international of 50 overs still the perfect middle-ground? Sound off below and let us know.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.
Last Updated: February 17, 2017
BakedBagel
February 17, 2017 at 10:37
Hitting a ball with a stick is still relevant how?
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 10:49
Not everyone can read 😛
HairyEwok
February 17, 2017 at 10:51
I dono, ask the golfers….
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 10:52
You mean the “shit on poor people” sport 😉
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 11:03
They get paid money. And people watch them.
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 10:41
Wait. Sport?
*moves along*
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 10:41
Well, if we had T20 cricket when I was a younger lad, I would have gotten to playing Doom on the Saturn much more than I did.
Summer holidays is just not the same if you are not watching your snorind dad drooling all over himsels whilst he “watches cricket” and the second you start playing all you hear is “Sit af daai k@k ons kyk die krieket!”
HairyEwok
February 17, 2017 at 10:43
What does the T in T20 mean.
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 10:43
Tricket
HairyEwok
February 17, 2017 at 10:44
Ohhh you nearly cricked me there.
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 10:44
Tottie
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 17, 2017 at 10:44
Twenty. It’s proper name is Twenty20 cricket, shortened to T20.
HairyEwok
February 17, 2017 at 10:44
Thank you. Why Twenty20. I get the 20 is the overs. What’s the other twenty? The amount of teams?
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 10:46
Like each team gets 20 overs to bowl?
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 10:44
Maybe if they played with live grenades that would have been more fun!
“BOOM! And Bavuma takes a spleen in the face!”
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 17, 2017 at 10:46
Test match cricket is the pinnacle of the sport. A thorough test of both batsmen and bowlers skill and patience. Yes is can be boring, but it can also be very exciting – just like all forms of the game.
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 10:48
Ever watched some of the old timey Brits play test matches. I remember once, this guy scored a run and he looked about as if he was Lord of the Commons or something like that!
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 17, 2017 at 10:53
Yeah, back in the day when 2 runs per over was equivalent to today’s 12 an over.
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 10:55
Do not remind me! Test matches, whilst brilliant in its own right. The run rate killed me! “Pretty good over that! He made 3 runs!”
And I’m like “C’mon McMillan! Suplex the guy already!!!”
Member Berry Bob
February 17, 2017 at 10:46
Never been a fan of cricket. The games are too damn long and far too boring. I’m not sure T20 changes things for me. Plus there is no violence. If we’re paying people stupid amounts of money for playing sport then there should be some risk attached to it.
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 10:47
Maybe if they played with live grenades that would have been more fun!
“BOOM! And Bavuma takes a spleen in the face!”
Member Berry Bob
February 17, 2017 at 10:49
Maybe not grenades since the timer is too short but I think you’re onto something there. Maybe we can put nitroglycerin in a glass tube in the ball.
HairyEwok
February 17, 2017 at 10:48
If we’re paying people stupid amounts of money for playing sports…. So esports should be like actual Team Deathmatch games XD
Member Berry Bob
February 17, 2017 at 10:52
Well, if you take what sports commentators say seriously then esports aren’t actually a sport so I think we can give them (esports) a break.
Tracy Benson
February 17, 2017 at 10:48
T20’s are fun to watch live, they’re usually a good time, but nothing beats a one day in my opinion.
Matthew Figueira
February 17, 2017 at 10:48
T20 is great <3 I don't watch the other forms at all 😛 COME AT ME FANS!
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 10:50
Matty!! Welcome, m’man!
Matthew Figueira
February 17, 2017 at 11:04
<3 😀
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 17, 2017 at 10:53
ShutupgoawayIhateyouyou’renotarealcabbage.
Matthew Figueira
February 17, 2017 at 11:03
YOU’RE NO MY MOM!
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 17, 2017 at 11:11
Oh really? Come here!
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lm6xszOh7B1qhqqy2.jpg
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 11:12
You’re going to spoon feed him, aren’t you?
Damn kids these days.
Matthew Figueira
February 17, 2017 at 11:13
LOL
Member Berry Bob
February 17, 2017 at 10:53
Let’s forget about cricket and make Blood Bowl a real thing 🙂
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 10:54
Live action Unreal Tournament. I’d like to see that.
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 11:07
It’s called going out after 10PM in the Vaal…
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 11:08
XD
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 10:53
Preference for the type of cricket that you enjoy watching comes down to how much you love the game.
As someone who LOVES cricket, I can easily sit and watch a test match. The name itself describes it, since it’s the ultimate test for the players. It tests their endurance and their concentration to the limit. A batsman who can be out in the middle for an entire day, wreaking havoc on the opposition bowling, or just plain frustrating them by not going out, that takes some skills.
Being out in the field all day is damn taxing.
For pure entertainment value, T20 is the way to go. Action packed from start to finish. Plus, it’s changed the game considerably.
A few years back, SA vs Aus in the 438 game, it was amazing to see two top teams scoring so fluidly all the way through. Now that’s become normal. Batsmen are much more willing to take risks.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 17, 2017 at 10:54
Nothing heretical about what this man just said.
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 10:55
As someone who has no interest in cricket or 90% of the sports out there, this makes good sense to me 🙂
BakedBagel
February 17, 2017 at 10:56
The old man says watching test cricket is like watching a 5 day chess game.
I cant sit down and play a game for 5 days. Dunno how the fuck
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 10:58
Like I said, comes down how much you love the game. Also helps to be able to appreciate what they’re going through.
I played a lot of cricket in my younger days, though my brother was the one who really excelled (he got SA Colours for Indoor Cricket), so when can relate, it helps.
HairyEwok
February 17, 2017 at 10:58
I thought test matches meant their being scored on performance before the actual game.
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 11:00
Huh? I don’t even know what you mean by that…
BakedBagel
February 17, 2017 at 11:01
You know how you have tests before exams…. yeah >_>
HairyEwok
February 17, 2017 at 11:02
Hehe, you got it at least 😛
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 11:03
Oh right. Heh, I’m thinking cricket, sorry.
Ottokie
February 17, 2017 at 10:55
https://imgflip.com/s/meme/Persian-Cat-Room-Guardian.jpg
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 10:55
lol
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 17, 2017 at 10:56
Maybe if you’d spent some time learning to bowl a cricket ball you’d be better at catching Pokemon!
Ottokie
February 17, 2017 at 10:58
Thanks for reminding me to update Pokemon Go xD
Matthew Figueira
February 17, 2017 at 11:02
This pic makes me lol every time xD
Sageville
February 17, 2017 at 10:57
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 11:00
In similar news, SA is kicking NZ’s ass in the current T20! We’ve almost got them all out!
BakedBagel
February 17, 2017 at 11:00
Out? Where are they going?
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 11:01
Home.
BakedBagel
February 17, 2017 at 11:01
lmao!
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 17, 2017 at 11:04
All out – and 5 for Tahir.
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 11:06
yup, good game for us.
Just wish we could be more consistent with our T20 performances. We never seem to be at the same level as we can reach in tests. Or even ODI’s (no WC choking comments, please!).
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 17, 2017 at 11:09
I dunno, I think consistency is very difficult to achieve in T20 – a single good or bad over has a much greater impact on the game than in any other format. There’s far more luck involved in T20.
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 11:11
Yeah, I hear what you’re saying, but that doesn’t prevent certain teams from always performing well in the format. Pakistan is usually right up in the thick of things.
VampyreSquirrel
February 17, 2017 at 11:04
No, it’s not a superior form of cricket, though it’s NORMALLY the more entertaining form of cricket.
I still prefer the 50 over setup.
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 11:06
Tennis. I love Tennis.
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 11:06
I love women’s tennis.
HairyEwok
February 17, 2017 at 11:06
Just because you like to hear people to grunt and moan
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 11:12
Not to mention the merciless smacking of balls going on…
HairyEwok
February 17, 2017 at 11:13
Tennis sounds like one helluva steamy game.
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 11:14
Wait till you watch mixed doubles…
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 11:14
http://68.media.tumblr.com/63e0d576499bd2b1a9c30a387a5d9737/tumblr_inline_nnyetdMqUE1tpfg2f_500.gif
Dutch Matrix
February 17, 2017 at 11:15
“That moment you realize you are not Luke Skywalker?”
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 11:14
For any cricket fans who want a good laugh, check this out. Warning!! NSFW!! Foul language a-plenty!
HvR
February 17, 2017 at 11:49
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 11:53
Brilliant!
But damn, I was hit in the nethers a few times back in the day. NOT funny. Well, it is to everyone else!
HvR
February 17, 2017 at 11:57
LOL had my fair share of nut shots in the goalie box on the hockey field
Original Heretic
February 17, 2017 at 12:03
The ballbox is your friend!
Gawd, I remember when I just started high school, one of our first cricket practices, some lass comes walking up, has a little chat to us. She looks over at the kit lying about, picks a box up and asks,” What this for?” And then proceeds to put it over her nose and mouth!
Laughter….so, so much laughter!
Skittle
February 17, 2017 at 11:21
I have never been more triggered in my life #testcricketmatters
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 11:24
Test what?
Skittle
February 17, 2017 at 11:26
My patience
Captain JJ
February 17, 2017 at 11:28
XD
Skittle
February 17, 2017 at 11:32
Speaking of T20 cricket, the Proteas just crushed the Black Caps
Admiral Chief
February 17, 2017 at 12:18
NO, d20 is
Gavin Mannion
February 17, 2017 at 12:30
My favourite is the 50 over format… 20/20 is fun but not really serious…
Test matches are just far too long for me to watch
miaau
February 17, 2017 at 12:50
When I was growing up, in school holidays, I would leave the TV on during Test Matches and read books or other things like that. When the your hear the commentators or crowd make a noise, you just put the volume a bit louder and watch the replay.
Sort of defeats the point for me, though.
miaau
February 17, 2017 at 12:51
Confession: I hardly ever watch cricket games. Yet, I follow all the Proteas matches on my phone, in as real-time as possible. I enjoy it. But to watch? Patience…….
So, if forced to watch a game, it would have to be T20, maybe a ODI. But no further.
N@te
February 20, 2017 at 11:31
Shut your heathen mouth! Test matches are what cricket is all about, one days are acceptable and T20 in my opinions is just for shits and giggles and shouldn’t be any indication of a players actual skill.