Tri-nation Twenty20 series in 2009
Twenty20 cricket is poised to take its next big step in 2009 with India, Australia and South Africa planning to play in the first-ever “super series”, which is proposed to be held in two of those countries.
As the first non-ICC multilateral tournament involving national teams, this event will mark a paradigm shift for the sport’s newest format but it faces several hurdles such as finding a window in an already crowded calendar, and negotiating the ICC ruling that allows a maximum of seven Twenty20 matches a year per country.
“It will be somewhat similar to the Tri-Nations rugby series,” Gerald Majola, chief executive of Cricket South Africa (CSA), told Cricinfo. “It will be happening next year, and the matches will be held in South Africa and Australia.”
However, organisers are yet to finalise a window for the tournament next year, he said.
The Twenty20 format took off with the World Twenty20 in South Africa last year that was won by India, home of the largest television market for the game. It soon led to the franchise-based IPL, which offered a prize money of US$1.2million, and was held across eight venues in India earlier this year.
However, concerns have been raised by the ICC over the need to have more control of such leagues, and Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lanka captain, even sought one annual tournament to avoid the game being taken over by its shortest format.
SOURCE: Cricinfo - Tri-nation Twenty20 series in 2009
Most of us are not a huge supporter of too much T20 but the issue here in my view is different. Why is Pakistan not part of this inaugural super series. Did ICC even considered Pakistan? Pakistan was the finalist in the inaugural World Cup along with India. What was Australia’s achievement besides losing to Zimbabwe in the World Cup???
At a time when Pakistan clearly needs some cricket and considering the Canada T20 as a blessing and an opportunity to get some practice against sides like Canada, Zimbabwe, ICC continous ignorance and indifference towards Pakistan is mind boggling.
