I like your idea, i think the bowlers should be given more hold over the game. For once the batsmen would feel the pinch in the middle for reasons other than just the required run rate etc. But i dont see it being implemented anytime soon as it would make the game less TV friendly.

Thanks for your comment Arun. I actually think this would increase the excitement and bring in another thrilling phase to Twenty20s since we're bound to see some crazy field settings and tactics, and amazing reverse-swinging yorkers, which you're unlikely to see in T20s since the ball doesn't really degrade to a state conducive for reverse swing. After sometime people are going to get fed up of boundaries and look for something more unique, maybe strings of boundaries like six 6s etc.
The main purpose of this post is to brainstorm evening up the bat-bowl contest (since I believe most fans prefer that kind of game) but maintaining the high-octance pace of T20s. This version represent portions of my actual post (probably a bit verbose) and importantly conveys the idea and opens up the discussion, but if you'd like to see the entire blog and the motivation behind introducing this, you can read it all at http://shortofalength.wordpress.com/
I look forward to your suggestions on this topic!

That's an interesting proposal. I think it'll help the Twenty20 format. The issue to be noted is how the spectators react. The twenty20 audience is very different from the test match audience and may not accept lesser boundaries and sixes. But, as far as the game's interests are concerned, its a very progressive suggestion. Then again, (I say this only as something to mull over) how can the game's interests go against the fans' wishes? After all cricket's a sport and sport is entertainment. (Again, whether its supposed to be entertainment for the players or the spectators is debatable.)

I agree with you. The game has become too one sided for the batsmen. Bowlers should also have some freedom. The idea of choosing the ball is really good :)

Antony, the reason why TT was big hit was because of the big hitting it involved. If you take that out of the equation, then it will be tough to get the sponorships etc.... I would definitely agree it would make it more exiciting, but I would not prefer it that way.

Great Idea

A couple of suggestions for the bowlers powerplay:
1 - remove (or ignore) the boundary ropes. A four has to hit the FENCE, a six clear it.
2 - relax bouncer restrictions

Hi,

Is this Anjo from CMU? If it is do you remember me? Are you still working for Google?

What you have suggested is a pretty neat idea. I hope IPL looks into it. How you think Stanford would feel about it?

I would say stack up all the odds against the batsmen and reward them for scoring runs during that period instead of penalizing the batsmen for wickets. For instance during this four over period if the team did not loose any wickets and if they had scored 30 runs, then the team should be awarded extra 5 or 10 runs and so on. If we penalize the batsmen for wickets then they are going to be on the defensive side

Thanks for your comments everyone. Bharadwaj, I agree, it will be crucial to note how spectators respond, but I think this will give the home crowd something to look forward to when they're side is bowling.
Satya, I don't think this takes the big hitting away significantly, as its a very short period after the start and well before the finish - when most of the big hitting usually takes place.
Bill, I also thought about pushing the ropes back but I've got to say that it might be a bit impractical and given how quick outfields are and well made bats are nowadays, I'm not sure it would make a big difference. But totally with you on the bouncers for this period.
Phoenix, thats an excellent suggestion. You're correct, taking runs away for the loss of a wicket would make batsmen overly defensive whereas increasing the incentive to score would make for a good contest.
Good stuff!

This is an awesome idea!!!
I agree that the best way to structure the bowling powerplay would be to increase incentives for the batsmen to take risks, and give more latitude to the bowlers to take wickets.
So, for instance, double the runs awarded for anything more than a single, to increase batsmen's risk taking appetite.
For bowlers, as Antony suggested, remove fielding restrictions and permit the selection of the cricket ball (SG/Duke's/Kookaburra/state of the ball -- perhaps even allow some form of deliberate scuffing of the ball).
And allow either side to opt for this powerplay -- both the bowling side (needing to make breakthroughs) and the batting side (chasing impossible targets).
Further, limit the number of times a team can choose this powerplay per tournament, so the captain really has to think before he uses it.
That would really make it more interesting, and bring some flavor od test cricket into T20 without slowing down the pace.

wah wah great idea, hope the cricketing gods are in audience

Good idea, except for penalizing runs for a wicket and fielding restrictions being ignored. I think that if this rule comes into play, those four overs will be like the middle overs of an ODI match: slow, with few or no boundaries, and mostly singles. I think if the fielding restrictions were applied and there was no penalty for losing runs, but the bowler did get to choose what kind of ball to use, then it would become very exciting.

this is actually a brilliant idea.....i hope this is implemented.....it would actually make the crcket extremely exciting.....