Hampshire County Cricket Club
The 20 20
Cricket Cup, a major new addition to the cricket season
- will get underway on 13 June 2003 with the launch match
between south-coast rivals Hampshire and Sussex at the
Rosebowl.
The action-packed competition, which replaced the Benson
& Hedges Cup in the domestic calendar, will feature
two weeks of group matches between the 18 counties - and
an exciting finals day in July at Edgbaston.
npower were confirmed as the first official partner of
the 20 20
Cricket Cup, with Philips unveiled as a sponsor of the
competition and Nectar as a marketing partner.
Each match promises non-stop big-hitting entertainment
for 20 overs a side, lasting under three hours and played
from 5.30pm-8.15pm - making them an ideal summer evening
out for children, families and office parties alike.
There will also be an exciting entertainment package at
match venues including music, promotions and quality food
and beverage offerings, plus a variety of interactive
activities for the kids.
All 45 group matches - the 18 First Class Counties are
split into three groups of six teams each - will be played
over a 12-day period, thus intentionally scheduling the
competition around the longest days of the year. Essex
and Sussex may stage floodlit 20
20 Cricket Cup matches in the group stages, and the
timings for any such matches will be confirmed in due
course.
All Counties are guaranteed a minimum of two 20
20 Cricket Cup matches at home. The winners of each
of the three groups and the best-performing runner-up
will progress to a finals day, at which both semi-finals
and the final will be played.
The tournament will be covered on TV by Sky and Channel
4, and by BBC Radio - capturing the unique atmosphere
of a new fast-paced concept where every ball will count.
Sky Sports will broadcast a minimum of six group matches
live as well as the three matches on finals day; Channel
4, meanwhile, will broadcast at least one match live and
the highlights of the Final, plus prominent coverage of
the competition in their weekly magazine programme. BBC
Radio are planning extensive coverage on their regional
and local stations in addition to live ball-by-ball coverage
of the 20 20
Cricket Cup Final on Radio Five Live and both 20
20 Cricket Cup semi-finals on Five Live Extra.
A new prize money structure will be implemented to encourage
both team victories and individual performances. The 20
20 Cricket Cup champions will receive £42,000,
the runners-up will get £21,000 and the losing-semi-finalists
£10,000. Extra incentives will also be made to the
best performing individuals with cash prizes of up to
£1,500 going to the best performing batsmen, bowlers
and all-rounders.
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