*Official* Airtel Twenty20 Champions League 2009

[stephen]

When is the earliest that we could see a NSW vs VIC game?

 

[Hurricane]

Just wanted to say that Otago's poor showing in this competition justified the organisers decision to only grant one entry to the teams from NZ. They also proved cricinfos pre tournament prediction of their chances correct.

 

[pasag]

The crowds looked empty for the Vics vs Wayamba game, would be interested to see the ratings and if they're poor the competition may be unsustainable with so many non-Indian teams.

 

[GGG]

Just wanted to say that Otago's poor showing in this competition justified the organisers decision to only grant one entry to the teams from NZ. They also proved cricinfos pre tournament prediction of their chances correct.

Or they just played way under there ability.

 

[Briony]

The crowds looked empty for the Vics vs Wayamba game, would be interested to see the ratings and if they're poor the competition may be unsustainable with so many non-Indian teams.

I heard the tv ratings were going quite well but big stadiums sparsely occupied is not a good look.

 

[Arjun]

Maybe the teams were not marketed so well. The Sussex games, I guess, may have had reasonably good crowds, or at least, were expected to draw more crowds than the rest of the non-IPL teams.

The Indian public don't have much to look at, they think. For instance, they don't know who Aiden Blizzard, Ben Rohrer, Andrew McDonald and Moises Henriques are. They would remember Brendon McCullum, Dimi Mascarenhas and at a long shot, Ian Butler and Nathan McCullum. They would support Sussex for the sole Asian representatives outside the IPL. If there were more internationals, such as in Somerset, Sussex and Otago, there would be more fans for these games. These teams were shown in action for a few weeks before the big event on the channel STAR Cricket, but those matches didn't attract much viewership, especially when the viewers were watching the Champions' Trophy.

Champions' League tickets are not cheap. Naturally, the less-moneyed public would spend their ticket money only on matches involving Indian teams, or the knockouts. If the tickets were coming cheaper, uniformly, then there would be greater crowds at these games. We've seen big crowds at some domestic games, which is expected when entry is free. Back in 2006, I stood outside CCI looking at ticket prices for Champs Trophy matches, and they were very exorbitant, especially when India wasn't playing.

It's not just Indian fans who don't watch non-IPL teams at the grounds. We don't often see Indian FC teams, or for that matter, FC teams from other countries going elsewhere. Fans may complain that a match between Victoria and Wayamba (in the afternoon) attracted few to the grounds. But what would happen if this match was played in Boland? Or Birmingham? This is a new concept, and it is taking some time to sink in.

When the Champions' League will be held outside India, let's see what happens before and during the league. Will there be much of a chance for non-Indian fans to do their homework on the teams outside of their country? Will there be any homework done by them? Will we see the matches played only in the home grounds of the CL teams? Will we see the CL only in one country? There's a lot that will change in time, so give it time.

 

[shivfan]

Typical Smith.

He only seems to know one way to play....

 

[shivfan]

good luck to trinidad and tobago for their match against deccan chargers tomorrow! continue making us proud guys!

This could be an interesting match....

The Chargers may be on their way out.

 

[pasag]

Maybe the teams were not marketed so well. The Sussex games, I guess, may have had reasonably good crowds, or at least, were expected to draw more crowds than the rest of the non-IPL teams.

The Indian public don't have much to look at, they think. For instance, they don't know who Aiden Blizzard, Ben Rohrer, Andrew McDonald and Moises Henriques are. They would remember Brendon McCullum, Dimi Mascarenhas and at a long shot, Ian Butler and Nathan McCullum. They would support Sussex for the sole Asian representatives outside the IPL. If there were more internationals, such as in Somerset, Sussex and Otago, there would be more fans for these games. These teams were shown in action for a few weeks before the big event on the channel STAR Cricket, but those matches didn't attract much viewership, especially when the viewers were watching the Champions' Trophy.

Champions' League tickets are not cheap. Naturally, the less-moneyed public would spend their ticket money only on matches involving Indian teams, or the knockouts. If the tickets were coming cheaper, uniformly, then there would be greater crowds at these games. We've seen big crowds at some domestic games, which is expected when entry is free. Back in 2006, I stood outside CCI looking at ticket prices for Champs Trophy matches, and they were very exorbitant, especially when India wasn't playing.

It's not just Indian fans who don't watch non-IPL teams at the grounds. We don't often see Indian FC teams, or for that matter, FC teams from other countries going elsewhere. Fans may complain that a match between Victoria and Wayamba (in the afternoon) attracted few to the grounds. But what would happen if this match was played in Boland? Or Birmingham? This is a new concept, and it is taking some time to sink in.

When the Champions' League will be held outside India, let's see what happens before and during the league. Will there be much of a chance for non-Indian fans to do their homework on the teams outside of their country? Will there be any homework done by them? Will we see the matches played only in the home grounds of the CL teams? Will we see the CL only in one country? There's a lot that will change in time, so give it time.

All excellent points, but it doesn't answer the question - will they persist with the tournament IF ratings and crowds are initially poor?

 

[biased indian]

All excellent points, but it doesn't answer the question - will they persist with the tournament IF ratings and crowds are initially poor?

they already have more rating than the CT recently....as far as the crowd is considered think will always be on the lower side with not many Indians playing

and ESPN start have already committed to 5 years i think

 

[Edged&Taken]

this is Modi's foundation for cricket's European Cup . he wont give up that easy

 

[silentstriker]

they already have more rating than the CT recently....as far as the crowd is considered think will always be on the lower side with not many Indians playing

and ESPN start have already committed to 5 years i think

The fact that it's above the CT is good news. How do the ratings compare to the second season IPL?

 

[GGG]

worse over ever

 

[Pratters]

How do the ratings compare to the second season IPL?

Would be far worse IMO.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Heh this is epic stuff.

 

[shivfan]

worse over ever

RP really seems a shadow of his former self....

The bowlers helped Trinidad to reach 49-1 off five overs.

 

[Jono]

Awful start, but after those 2 wickets, and with Ojha still to come, Hyderabad should be right from here.

 

[four_or_six]

C'mon T&T! Would be good to have a side from either WI/Sri Lanka/NZ/England/Pak through to the group stage!

Otherwise Australia and India may as well just keep playing each other until the end of time (and invite the Saffas occasionally).

 

[Scaly piscine]

C'mon T&T! Would be good to have a side from either WI/Sri Lanka/NZ/England/Pak through to the group stage!

Otherwise Australia and India may as well just keep playing each other until the end of time (and invite the Saffas occasionally).

T&T are almost certain to go through, it's more about whether Deccan or Somerset go with them.

 

[four_or_six]

T&T are almost certain to go through, it's more about whether Deccan or Somerset go with them.

Oh yeah... oh well, hopefully T&T and Somerset, the more the merrier!

Unless Modi really does want to emulate the UEFA champions league, where the same few sides always get through to the latter stages.