Ronnie Irani has hailed county cricket's new Twenty20 Cup competition a "huge triumph" - even though his team failed to make it past the group stage.

"Cricket has been waiting for a bold and explosive venture like this and it has certainly brought the crowds flooding back," said the Essex skipper.

"The weather has been fantastic and our two games under the Chelmsford floodlights have both attracted top crowds, the first game against Kent last Friday bringing in a reported record crowd of over 7,000 fans."

Irani said he would only make one change to the set-up and that would be to fit next season's programme between County Championship games.

The club captain reckons Friday nights under the Chelmsford floodlights would be great because "everyone could let their hair down because there would be no work or school the next day".

Irani went on: "County cricket is looking to create a new following and the Twenty20 competition is certainly succeeding in that, all over the country.

"Short, sharp and exciting from start to finish with runs and wickets all the way, this crash-bang-wallop brand of cricket has created a great atmosphere and the fans love it.

"And when I went into Chelmsford for a bite to eat after the Kent match the town was still buzzing late into the night.

"I have never seen so many Essex shirts around the place.

"They were everywhere, the town centre, the clubs, pubs and the restaurants."

Irani said Twenty20 cricket is also a great game to play in because it is still very much a game of cricket.

He added: "They haven't mucked around with the rules of the game too much, which is good for everyone."

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Published Friday, June 27, 2003

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