Essex are now concentrating on the new Twenty20 initiative and open the competition with a trip to Imber Court, East Molesey to take on Surrey and then next Wednesday, travel to Southampton to meet Hampshire with both matches scheduled to commence at 5.30 p.m.
The first home game is at Chelmsford on Friday 20 June when Kent provide the opposition in a match that will be played under the floodlights with a 7.30 p.m. start.
It is hoped that the new cricketing concept will appeal to a younger audience with families also targeted.
Non-stop entertainment on the pitch, where both sides face 20 overs each, is matched by exciting entertainment packages off it.
Each innings will last for only 75 minutes as the game concentrates on rapid run rates and brisk action to satisfy the spectators.
The sports administrators hope that it will provide a quick-fix answer to dwindling crowd attendances of the past few years.
Published Thursday, June 12, 2003
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