T20 cricket is still only about 20 years old. The first franchise-based league started about 16 years ago. Even just 10 years back, there were no more than 2 or 3 T20 leagues. But now, there are more than 10 T20 leagues played each year. The quality of T20 cricket has decreased with the increasing quantity. But if you are on the hunt for some quality cricket, T20 Blast could be your destination. Here, we will tell you the 5 reasons why T20 Blast 2023 could be the best T20 tournament of the year.
So, let’s get on with it.
1. Rich Local Talent
England’s current lot of players in the white ball setup are matchless. England is so rich in this type of talent, not just at the international level but even at the domestic level. T20 Blast 2023 will see the likes of Jos Butler, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Alex Hales, Moeen Ali, and Jason Roy in action. Quality pacers like David Willey, Reece Topley, Chris Jordan, and Saqib Mahmood will also feature in the competition. Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed, and Matthew Parkinson will be the top spinners in the Blast competition.
All these guys have represented England’s national side. But apart from them, the league has several other high-class cricketers. They include Tom Abell, Sam Hain, Tom Lammonby, Will Smeed, and Will Jacks. These individuals make this league a unique competition.
2. Star Overseas Players
All the counties have signed some exciting cricketers for this year’s Vitality Blast. Derbyshire have roped in Haider Ali, while Durham have picked Tristian Stubbs. Danial Sams will represent Essex, and the experienced Colin Ingram will feature for Glamorgan. Zafar Gohar and George Linde will play for Gloucestershire and Kent, respectively. Ben McDermott and Nathan Ellis will be in Hampshire’s camp. The Kiwi duo of Colin de Grandhomme and Daryl Mitchell will play for Lancashire.
Leicestershire has Naveen-ul-Haq, and Chris Lynn went to Northamptonshire. Colin Munro and Shaheen Shah Afridi will be in action for Nottinghamshire. Matt Henry and Sunil Narine will portray their skills for Somerset and Surrey, respectively. Shadab Khan and Steve Smith will represent Sussex. Warwickshire have roped in Hasan Ali and Glenn Maxwell. Worcestershire’s squad includes the spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell. Shan Masood and David Wiese are set to play for Yorkshire.
3. Historical Stadiums and Lively Crowd
The sport of cricket started and originated in England. The country has the oldest cricket stadiums in the world. Lord’s Cricket Ground is known as the home of cricket. Also, there are numerous other venues with historical importance. Despite existing for centuries now, the grounds and stadiums are maintained really well. The view of each ground presents an eye-catching sight.
Another great thing about cricket in England is its vigilant crowd. Barmy Army is famous all around the cricketing world for its cricket passion. The crowd in England is always enthusiastic, and watching matches in such an environment is pure joy.
4. Ideal Pitches
The playing conditions in England are as good as anywhere in the world. For the batters, there’s a consistent bounce in the pitch, and the outfields are quick. So, they always get good value for their shots. For fast bowlers, there’s a good pace on the surfaces. Also, the new ball swings for a while, and reverse swing can also be extracted in the last few overs of a T20 innings. The fast bowlers can get the seam movement from the pitch at almost any stage of an innings.
Talking about spinners, there’s always decent purchase for them on the English tracks. Apart from getting a good grip, they also get the ball to skid nicely off the pitch. So, the playing conditions in the country make sure that there’s an even contest between ball and bat. At times, there are some run fests. The other times, we see low-scoring thrillers. But most often, we witness scores between 160 and 180 in the T20 Blast. England has the most destructive T20 players in the world. So, these scores tell that the conditions don’t just suit batters but ensure a more even contest.
5. High Fielding Standards
Cricket has changed a lot over the decades. The game has gotten quite rapid, and the players need to be on top of their game all time. In this scenario, fielding is of the most importance. A sharp fielder can win you a game by saving a few runs. On the other hand, an ordinary bloke in the field may cost you the match by dropping a catch, conceding some extra runs, or missing a run-out opportunity.
Therefore, the teams with better fielders always have an edge on a side with mediocre fielding. It’s also a lot better to watch matches where fielders are charged up and ready to throw themselves in. That’s where T20 Blast is probably on the top of the list. English local players are exceptional in the field, and it gives an edge to this league.
