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You just have to look at the spectator figures to appreciate how successful the Twenty20 cricket games have been since their introduction. And if you analyze the type of people attending, you will see that people who have never been to a game before are suddenly coming out of the woodwork.

Cricket is one of those games - you either love it or hate it. But the practicalities of modern life make it very difficult for many people to get to watch a four-day county championship game in England (or Wales). The one-day version of the game was invented in the 1960s, with sixty, fifty and forty over versions all tried. They have enjoyed reasonable success. But there was still the problem of filling grounds in recent years with midweek games.

That is where the twenty over contest came in. It suddenly arrived on the scene, with purists saying it would not last. It seemed like just another gimmick to them. But it has really taken off and for a few weeks in mid summer, county grounds up and down the country are shaking with excitement as instant cricket fever takes over.

The attraction of Twenty20 is that it is an attacking game. Batsmen cannot afford to 'play themselves in' or see off a particularly good bowler. They have to go in search of quick runs from the very first ball. Bowlers know that batsmen are going to try to hit just about every ball out of the ground. Fielders know that one slip could lose a match. In short, everyone has to be on their game. It is fast and furious.

The whole game lasts about three hours, which is ideal for people on their way home from work or children dropping by after school. A traditionally serious game has all of a sudden attracted football style cheering and razzmatazz. Old and young, men and women, Twenty20 attracts all sorts. It has helped bring money into the game, spectators through the turnstiles and even contributed to better standards, and more attacking cricket. It has been a total success. At its inception, I was one of the critics who dreaded the onset of 'Mickey Mouse' cricket. I am delighted to admit I was totally wrong.

Learn more about this author, Phil Hill.
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