Nokia CLT20 – a tournament too far?

Pardon my cynicism, but the Champions League t20 has rather been passing me by. The games that I have caught have been low scoring and played out before empty stadia. This isn’t the vision of glitz and glamour that such tournaments were supposed to bring to cricket.

MS Dhoni looked tired and weary in the yellow of CSK yesterday. The man could do with a break

I struggled through the Mumbai Indians Vs New South Wales game followed by the Chennai Super Kings Vs Trinidad & Tobago encounter yesterday. I may have picked a bad day to try and get excited about it all, but I didn’t really enjoy what I saw. Especially when there was a choice of British Touring Cars, Moto GP and Premiership football on other channels.

In the two CLT20, sorry, Nokia CLT20, games mentioned there were only five sixes. Two of those were clattered by Albie Morkel once Chennai’s hopes of winning had expired. Only Steven Smith, with a single Toshiba Power Six, or whatever it’s called, managed one in the first game.

Such showcases of cricket are in existence to exhibit big hitting and exciting matches. This is the Champions League, too, the best club sides/franchises going. Low scoring on slightly dodgy wickets just isn’t good enough. They say cricket has become a batsman’s game and t20 is the best argument to support this view.

Yet this bowler dominated day didn’t make for such interesting viewing. Rather than 100 plays 100 as the batsman try to nurdle singles around, I wanted to see 150 plays 150 minimum. I viewed watching the CLT20 as something of a guilty pleasure. I was left with all of the guilt but none of the pleasure.

Maybe there has just been too much cricket on of late. Chennai skipper MS Dhoni cut a weary looking figure, carrying a little extra timber around his midriff and a face that looks on the cusp of bearing wrinkles. It must be difficult for him to keep track of what he’s playing on any given day – I know I have struggled.

Once this shebang is done and dusted Dhoni will be back in the blue of India to face England. Again. He’s had a great year with World Cup and IPL success, but he looks in need of a break. As a fan, I feel as though I am in need of a break, too.

This sentiment obviously exists in India, too. In a year in which Indian fans have been treated to World Cup success, nothing else was ever going to come close to matching the excitement and glory of that tournament. From the World Cup they then had the IPL shoved down their throats. Now this.

I’d be surprised if the concept of the IPL and the CLT20 can continue to co-exist. I am sure there are contracts in place but without public support there is little point in such tournaments. Without big hitting and loads of runs, there will be little public support. After one day, yesterday, I’m switched off until the knock-out stages.

By Miles Reucroft