Packer calls on heavyweights for Twenty20 probe
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Cricket's most influential man Kerry Packer has started a private investigation into how he should handle the game's latest phenomenon – Twenty20.
Cricket's most influential man Kerry Packer has started a private investigation into how he should handle the game's latest phenomenon – Twenty20.
As part of an overall review of where cricket is heading, Packer is so keen to make sure the merits of Twenty20 cricket are analysed properly that he rang Shane Warne earlier this week and sought his opinion. At a time when Australian cricket is preparing for major change, Packer is trying to assess whether Twenty20 is a booming phenomenon, a passing fad, or somewhere in between. He is determined to make sure his network, Channel 9, remains at the cutting edge of the sport and presents what the public wants.
Though he is rarely seen at cricket matches or functions, he remains the game's most influential figure.
Packer's long-time lieutenant, cricket commentator Tony Greig, said yesterday his boss was always looking at ways of improving the game.
But Greig stressed he didn't know whether Packer had started a new, in-depth investigation.
"He is always looking at where the game is heading and he has always got his fingers on the pulse," Greig said.
"Last year all the Nine commentators were asked by Kerry what we thought could be done to improve the limited over game."
Packer revolutionised the sport in 1977 when he signed the game's best players to feature in his rebel World Series Cricket. This eventually led to the successful running of the current triangular one-day tournament.
Having seen crowds flock to domestic Twenty20 matches this summer, Packer is mindful this new version of the game could boom internationally and domestically, as the 50-over format did for many years.
But the triangular tournament has become stale and attracted widespread criticism in recent years for being predictable and boring.
Channel 9 executives have effectively admitted as much by kicking off one-day matches between the West Indies and Pakistan this summer from their usual prime-time slot.
There is a feeling "dead" games between neutral nations is one of the less attractive features of the summer and there is already a push for Australia to play two head-to-head series of four matches and to ditch the triangular format.
The Australian summer is up for review in April as cricket officials prepare to renegotiate TV rights with Packer and his men. The success of Twenty20 cricket means it is likely to become a key part of new negotiations.
Cricket Australia this week sanctioned an inaugural Twenty20 interstate competition for next season.
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