Twenty20 is "momentary cricket", not instant cricket

The first match of the ICC World Twenty20 championship between home team South Africa and West Indies at the New Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg yesterday proved one thing -- cricket has evolved into a speedy game keeping up with the ethos of the digital world.
If 50-over One Day Internationals can be called "instant cricket", Twenty20 could be christened "momentary cricket". For, you got to play this brand of cricket like a man possessed. You don't take a breather in cricket's new avatar -- or rather you won't be given a chance to catch up with your breath -- where speed and belligerence is the essence and name of the game.
Yesterday's match saw two teams putting together more than 400 runs in 40 overs. Scoring close to 10 runs in an over has been unprecedented so far in the history of cricket -- a game where style and substance matters over results.
When West Indies opener Chris Gayle and Devon Smith walked into bat after South Africa opted to field on winning the toss, soon one realised that this brand of cricket is not for the puritanical souls.
Gayle was soon at his swashbuckling best -- he began to maraud the Proteas bowling with some lusty hitting. The end result was 57-ball century, which included 10 sixes and seven fours.
However, Gayle's high octane 117 wasn't enough to contain the South Africans, when they began to chase the Windies score of 205.
This was to be expected in this game, where bowlers are shown scant respect.
Proteas captain Graeme Smith and his opening partner, the attacking Herschelle Gibbs, replicated the same intentions as exhibited by the Windies openers. They were on the offensive from the word go.
The South African were able to cruise home in only 17.5 overs with the loss of just two wickets, and partly aided by some shoddy bowling and fielding by the Windies.
More than the result of this game, what was interesting to note was the way this type of cricket has been packaged. The concept is total entertainment for the spectators as well as TV viewers.
The ambiance felt was akin to watching a World Cup football match or an English Premier League play-off. There was music with dancers gyrating to provide entertainment to the masses after a four or a six and in between overs. The show was worth the buck they paid for.
The fact that the game gets over in just under four hours proves that this is a spectator friendly and adrenalin pumping affair.
To play this mode of cricket, players need to show a different mental approach. Aggression and flamboyance is an attribute that is required in immense quantity.
The opening match of the ICC Twenty20 tournament tells us that this concept is here to stay. If 1975, when the first limited overs World Cup was played in England, laid the foundation for the popularity of instant cricket, then the 2007 edition of the Twenty20 World Championship will take cricket to a totally different level of entertainment. Howzaat!