Stanford millions bowl me over

Bryans’ Bark & Bite
WHAT with the current economic downturn and all this talk of a ‘credit crunch’ it is remarkable to think that a game of cricket tomorrow evening will see the victors rewarded with a $20million prize kitty.

The ‘Stanford Super Series’ comes to a head when England take on a team of cricketers from across the Caribbean, labelled the Stanford Superstars in the ridiculously titled “Twenty/20 for 20.’’

Allen Stanford was announced as the 239th richest man in America last year - and he has a passion for cricket. He has pumped almost £50million into West Indian cricket and splashed out in excess of £3million building the Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua. But the fact he is splashing out £20million on one, individual, short-form game of cricket is amazing.

He wants to make cricket popular in the States - and they are not likely to jump at the chance to research the Duckworth/Lewis method or tune into Test Match Special via their internet connection.

However, loud, brash, big-hitting sports action with a pinch of scantily-clad, busty cheerleaders added to the mix is likely to strike a chord with the Americans - and who could blame them!

The match, as well as the warm-up games taking place all week, has received criticism from some sections of the cricketing authorities and also from the media - but I can’t see why.

Twenty/20 is the most frantic, fast-paced and enjoyable form of cricket. Throw a wad of dollars and a winner-takes-all mentality into the mix and it creates a real sporting spectacle.

The old image of gentleman in their whites spending leisurely afternoons in the outfield are all but over - well except for Test Match cricket obviously. But newer, faster-paced breeds are starting to emerge and evolve the sport.

Fifty-over One-Day Internationals were the starting point and we can thank Kerry Packer for those, even though he faced stern opposition to begin with.

The Pro 40 league and numerous Twenty/20 competitions - most notably the highly-funded Indian Premier League - have also boosted attendance and viewing figures alike.

Even though the suits at the ECB or ICC might be squirming at the images of hot-tubs and cheerleaders, the crowds are lapping it up - as one very rich man knows only too well.

The sheer amount of money being pumped into this venture is mind-boggling. Each player on the winning team will earn around £613,000 while the losers leave with empty pockets.

It is these vast sums of money that make it all the more interesting. As the advertisements featuring David Lloyd suggest ‘one dropped catch, and the money goes up in smoke.’

Seeing how these sportsmen react knowing how much is at stake will be intriguing - and it will take nerves of steel to attempt that slog into the crowd for a six.

Cricket is in the midst of a revolution and Twenty/20 is arguably the main catalyst behind this.

Tomorrow’s match should achieve global interest and only help to promote cricket to youngsters and non-cricket playing nations.

Allen Stanford’s millions will most certainly help cricket, even if his antics in the crowd and on camera with the cricketing WAGs rile the sports’ rulers.