Victorian Premier Cricket manager Peter Binns has big plans for the Twenty20 format in his competition. 24471 Picture: Stewart ChambersBy Marc McGowan
VICTORIAN Premier Cricket clubs may soon have to view the much-hyped Twenty20 format as more than just money-spinning light entertainment.
Premier Cricket manager Peter Binns believes the Twenty20 concept could form part of the club championship within five years.
Binns was pivotal in introducing the abbreviated game at Premier Cricket level in 2005 after seeing it take off in England.
Only 12 of the 18 Premier Cricket clubs took part in that first season, but they are all now clamouring to be involved.
“In the last three years it’s been a full-on competition. Some of the club presidents who were previously a bit cynical about the whole thing are confident now,” Binns said.
“They all have their fingers jammed in the till, because they can’t keep the money in the cash register because they’re taking so much selling hot dogs and beers over the bar.”
Binns is excited about what Twenty20 could do for Premier Cricket, but is still unsure how to deal with it.
“Does it take over everything? You’ve got to have a balance of cricket to prepare players for the next level, but a component of that includes Twenty20,” he said.
“At this stage we’ve underplayed it a little bit and it only involves firsts’ players – we’ve got to somehow make Twenty20 also accessible for seconds, thirds and fourths.
“It’s not just us wondering how Twenty20 will fit in. You see administrators around the world trying to work out how to get a piece of the pie.”
Binns said Twenty20 also appeals because matches can be fixtured during the week.
“It’s a fantastic concept. It’s all over in three hours and every ball’s important,” he said.
“It also gives us the opportunity to play on Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday nights and some of the grounds will be able to play them under lights.
“It opens up a whole new realm for cricket.”
