T20S HERE TO STAY

Cricket has never been in better shape: Ricky Ponting

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

"At the end of the day, you have more people watching cricket like never before." © Cricbuzz

There has been the constant debate for years on the sustenance of Test cricket and the impact that Twenty20 cricket has had over it. As many detractors as the T20 format has had over years, the supporters have balanced the ratio.

Ricky Ponting, one of the modern greats of the game, who has been involved very closely with the format, first with the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a player and coach, and then with the Big Bash League 2015-16 in the capacity of a commentator, by self-admission thought the condensed format would last a while and then fade away into oblivion. Over time, however, Ponting's perception has changed.

"When T20 first started, I thought it would be best used to market and promote the other formats of the game but that was it," Ponting was quoted on Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday (January 19). "I didn't expect it to last as long as it has."

The reception and the turnout that this season of the Big Bash has seen has been unprecedented, where families, turning out in numbers - a validation of not just that spectators want more of it, but that the format is here to stay.

"It can't hurt the overall game," said Ponting. "Everyone says no one likes one-day cricket anymore, and the Test match crowds are dropping off. At the end of the day, you have more people watching cricket like never before.

"Cricket as a whole has never been in better shape. One format was always going to start cannibalising the other, but I think it will actually start to regenerate fans back into the format as well."

As we near the fag end of the Big Bash, there are excessive talks of expansion and more teams for the next season. However, Ponting believes that the format of the tournament is perfect the way it is.

"I know there's been talk of expansion and more teams, but I wouldn't be messing with something that's been as good as it is," Ponting said. "Even when you talk to the international players: it's a short, condensed tournament on the best grounds in Australia. If you start stretching it out, I'd be having second thoughts of that."

© Cricbuzz

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