Fun time

Two T20 internationals - the People's Games - ruined by rain. Someone is missing the point.

T20 is a piece of nonsense, a bit of fun, three hours of giggle. Bring 20,000 people together, charge them £40 a head, open the bars, maintain family areas and let them all enjoy themselves.

At the same time we don't want star players to be hurt as they might have been if the second game at Old Trafford had been played.

The trouble is that the authorities, the player and the match officials have to take it seriously.

So lets cut out that aspect of the matches. Ask ICC to stop pretending there is a global league table for T20 and have a competitive aspect only when the T20 World Cup is staged.

Encourage the nations to pick teams of promising starlets, guys at the end of their careers, even a few prominent league players and, dare I mention it, a couple of the women Test players.

Tell them they must play unless it is raining balls and stumps. If the quick bowlers cannot find a foothold - bowl a bit slower. Find a side of the pitch they can bowl from. Take the must-win, death or glory, we need to points to get to the top of the world rankings element away.

The kids will love it, the parents will be glad that one day their lad might get a chance to take part in any sort of cricket, and the TV audiences will grow.

For heaven's sake, lets stop being so serious about a bit of a laugh!