Aussies launch Twenty20

Cricket Australia has begun the build up to its inaugural Twenty20 international match between South Africa and Australia in Brisbane next year.

At a special launch at the Gabba, Queensland Bulls players and former internationals Michael Kasprowicz and Jimmy Maher took part in a 20-ball challenge to promote the upcoming international clash.

The game is the first time a new format international match has been played in Australia since the inaugural one-day international against England in 1971 and will be held at the Gabba on January 9.

While Maher may have won the wicket vs sixes clash against Kasprowicz, it is the tall paceman who has more experience of the Twenty20 format, having played county matches as well as international games in New Zealand and England.

“It’s good fun, that’s what have to do as players, treat it as fun”, Kasprowicz said.

“I think bowlers and batters as well have to leave their ego behind in dressing room and just have a bit of fun because the bowlers are getting smashed and the batters are expected to score off every ball, hit fours and sixes off every ball, so it’s all good fun.”

Last summer’s Twenty20 international between the Kiwis and Australians at Eden Park was a massive hit, with the retro theme and fun aspect of the night coming to the fore.
Kasprowicz said he hoped the Australian cricketing public would get behind the game and have as good an evening as the players did in Auckland.

“It was a great concept to start the tour, got everyone interested in cricket in a fun sort of way,” he said. “I suppose over in the UK it was treated a little bit differently but yeah I think that’s been the key, having played a couple of years of county cricket with Twenty20 you find that it’s good fun if you treat it like fun.”

Australia’s first Twenty20 international match will be played at the Gabba between South Africa and Australia on January 9 from 6.30pm.

Tickets are available now.