Window shopping

I defy any true cricket lover to not have got a buzz out of the IPL. It is all about entertainment and in my view it has delivered superbly.

The general buzz and nailbiting conclusions which have been the norm rather that the exception have mesmerised many. There have been some individuals in the past who simply refuse to acknowledge the potency of this format and knowing some of them they will continue to take that stance.

That is their prerogative and I respect that but I reckon they do so at their peril. This is the future and the second edition of the IPL has stamped its authority in an emphatic way.

Looking back on an event that is now reaching its climax and captivating many, maybe it has been an enormous boost for the event that it was moved out of India. Most in that region will not agree obviously but that relocation has provided a more global platform and acceptance.

Importantly it is still Indian centric but the danger of it always being played inside the borders of India was that it would always be considered solely that country’s experience without enjoying the potential of expansion. South Africa and South Africans can stand tall and be proud of the way they have supported the series and worked it.

Once and for all this edition has further proved to the ICC that finding an IPL window in the international calendar is essential. It was far from ideal this year and last that players started and then departed to honour international representation or vice-versa.

Surely it will not take much to re-organise and juggle the odd future tour dates so that the best players around can enjoy the fruits of their labour in this format and further excite and entertain those that matter, the cricketing public.

Chris Gayle’s comments of late regarding the future of test cricket and his objectives are worrying but not incomprehensible. His voice is the second to exercise this honesty. Jacob Oram echoed similar views recently, albeit injury related.

Should a sensible solution not be identified if there is a real danger that others will follow suit as today’s financially sassy cricketers reaching the sunset of their careers opt for the more rewarding format on multiple fronts?

This tournament has been the perfect shot in the arm for the game of cricket. Interestingly it has been played out while test cricket has been going on in the background, on a distant channel. There is no doubt which format was the winner with regards to attracting sets of eyeballs. The year on year concern that T20 was ambushing cricket should now be forgotten. The balance is spot on at present and there is room for all three versions of the game.

Countries play one or two internationals against each other on tours and almost every country has its own domestic competition that provides a much needed spike of interest at that level. If the ICC can accommodate the IPL, and they appear to be on a pro-active curve right now, then that will complete the jigsaw puzzle and protect the integrity of the game while satisfying many.

It is all about entertainment and T20 cricket is the vehicle. The ICC need to take the wheel.