Send everyone into a spin with your views on the county scene, one-day internationals and Tests.

A dominant batting display takes England to a six-wicket win over South Africa in the NatWest Series.

England looked determined to put their defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe in the first match of the NatWest Series behind them.

E-mail us on the NatWest series, Twenty20 cup cricket and all your other views.

Have Your Say on all things cricket using the form on the right-hand side of the page.

I was privileged to be present when Graham Thorpe played two courageous innings to win England the 3rd Test v Sri Lanka in Colombo in March 2001.

His 113 in the first Innings (next highest score 26) and 32 in the second innings (next highest score 13) in 40 degrees heat and 110 degrees humidity were the most gutsy and skilful innings I have ever seen in 50 years of watching cricket.

If Thorpey is now through his difficult personal times (and the evidence is that he is) he should be drafted immediately into England's one day and test sides.
Paddy Briggs, Teddington, UK

Overseas players playing for other nations is quite frankly a stupid idea.
Mark Tattersall, England

I've watched a few games on Sky and they are great fun. The crowds seem to be enjoying themselves. It's interesting to see how well batsmen with good technique can play - Ramprakash against Kent, Pietersen against Yorkshire. I thought the downside would be defensive bowling but Bresnan's final over against Notts dispelled that! It's a great idea, keep it going!
Nigel Scott, Shepperton

Gloucestershire rule Twenty20 cricket. Were going to destroy Surrey
Tom Poulton, Gloucester

I think this is a great idea! Especially for struggling teams such as Bangladesh. Our team really needs a boost and I belive it would produce positive results if we had inducted some world class players into our team.
Ashiq, Australia/Bangladeshi

I think this new Twenty20 competition is brilliant Sumeet Sondagar, UK

Twenty20 Cricket so far is a success. I have been impressed by the way that, in the main, batsmen have realised that playing 'proper' shots is the way forward, using timing and placement. The late cut is even making a come back!

There's a fair sprinkling of slogs as you would expect but then Adam Gilchrist isn't averse to hitting across the line if the situation presents itself. Running between the wickets will improve markedly. Fielding in the pro game is already of a high standard and will get better from this form of Cricket. Bowlers will have to learn how to bowl better lines and lengths and as Tim Bresnan proved last night using good old basics works well.

Most important of all are the crowds. If 1% of the young people who have been to watch take up the game then it has all been worthwhile!
Ian, Yorkshire

I think this new Twenty20 competition is brilliant. They should play this in international cricket. also have a Twenty20 World Cup.
Sumeet Sondagar, UK

I think the Twenty20 Cup is an awesome idea. I this is the only way cricket would catch on in the US.
Roy, Boston

Rather than allow the weaker nations to field "overseas players", it might be more sensible to have a second rung of Test cricket in which the stronger nations field "B" teams. Bangladesh et al will still lose a lot of games in this format, but maybe not in two or three days, while the Darren Lehmanns and Stuart Laws of the world will get a bit more international cricket.
John, Lancaster

I think that the Twenty20 Cup provides great excitement but it could mean players losing out on their form in other competitions Daniel, UK

Overall, I've enjoyed the Twenty20 cup games that I've listened to so far. I expect that it'll stay around for a while at least. It certainly seems to be working better than the ill-fated B&H Supercup experiment.

My impression so far is that it's not solely a game for sloggers and pinch hitters. They can make their mark but good technique is required to make a significant contribution with either bat or ball.

Possibly the best thing to come out so far from the playing side of things is the (somewhat surprising) influence of spinners in the 20 over game. When the batsman is so conscious of keeping the score going, they have plenty of opportunity to entertain us with their skills, without facing the negative and defensive treatment from the batsman that they tend to get in longer forms of the game.
Dan Burrill, Birmingham, UK

I went up to Edgbaston last night to watch the Twenty20 match between Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. It was another fantastic performance from Gloucestershire to win again, topped off by the first Twenty20 hundred by Ian Harvey. No Warwickshire bowler's figures were spared as Harvs demolished the Bears' attack, great stuff!
Dan, Gloucestershire, England

Twenty20 is great - now only if the ICC can have the guts to think along the lines of Twenty20 internationals; and do away with the "traditional" ODI games altogether. I have never been a big fan of the ODI game anyway; besides I reckon it will prevent a lot of player burnout. After all, Tests are the real thing.

As for Rodney Hogg's idea, I would not back that - I would rather go with the idea of having two separate tiers of Test cricket.
Aumlan Guha, Kolkata, India

I think that the Twenty20 Cup provides great excitement but it could mean players losing out on their form in other competitions. Lancashire have been playing superbly in the four day game but have failed in the Twenty20 Cup which could now affect their confidence for the other tournaments.
Daniel, UK

I think the Twenty20 cup is a brilliant idea. It forces players to use a lot of skill and action, which makes the game a lot more exciting especially for youngsters to watch. Can't wait for an international Twenty20 cup.
Salma, UK

It seems strange to me that everyone think this is a new, fresh idea. Village cricket has been using the 20 over format for years. Although it's a great exciting cricket format it may make clubs pick crickets specifically to play in this tournament which won't do the game much good.
Steve Brand, Cambridge - UK

My only slight complaint was that it all finished a bit too early Richard Webber, Bristol

I attended the opening Hampshire v Sussex match and thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing that slowed down the proceedings was referrals to the TV umpire. I would like to see all decisions made instantly by the umpires.
Alan Rutter, Basingstoke

I went to the Roses match with my wife, son (10) and daughter (9) last night and whilst the cricket was great fun there seemed to be very little in the way of razzmatazz.

Also, the counties need to adapt to larger crowds - we queued for 15 minutes to collect tickets (one beleaguered lady handing them out) and then another 10 minutes for food (not during the interval) before giving up - where were the 'Dog Man', 'Beer Man' and 'Soda man' who keep the audience constantly fed, watered and entertained up and down the aisles at baseball matches - simple idea but it would work well, keep people happy and make more money for the clubs.
Andrew, Cheshire

I went to Glos v Northants last night and 3,500 people can't be wrong! It was marvellous to see so many youngsters populating the county ground like (seemingly) never before. My only slight complaint was that it all finished a bit too early - and had Chris Spearman and Ian Harvey carried on as they started it would have been all over by 7.30pm - as it was it was 8.05pm.

We must retain the large intake from children leaving afternoon school but also 'capture ' those leaving work at 5'ish. My proposal for next season would be a 6.00pm start. Apart from that this is an excellent concept which, if yesterday's game is anything to go by, is tremendously entertaining.
Richard Webber, Bristol

I have been a cricket fan for 25 years and have watched the rise and fall of English cricket. I am fantastically enthused by the 20/20 competition - IT'S FANTASTIC (even though Yorkshire lost against the enemy yesterday. Well done to the organisers a big pat on the back is well deserved.
Andrew Jennings, Ilkley, West Yorkshire

I think the idea is great, for the one day game we might finally get some bowlers that can bowl straight and some batters than can hit tight bowling.

But, I think the ECB would attract many more new fans if people could actually watch cricket on TV, TV is what makes football so popular, hiding it away on sky is what's destroying any new cricket fan base.
Russell, UK

I think it is great. I went yesterday after work. Mike Hussey demonstrated that - contrary to the opinion of some dinosaurs - successful twenty20 cricket is like any other form, i.e. depend on talent and timing.

Well done ECB!

It has got my neighbour's kids interested and they don't play at all at school.
Sarah, Wales

Those who slag it off are completely wrong. I am only 14 and along with many others I am unable to watch test cricket while receiving my 'education, education, education'.

This cup is a great alternative. It means that crowds for games will not fall even further. Well done the ECB!
Dan McCarthy, Bognor Regis, West Sussex

I think 20 20 cricket is a good idea. My only complaints are the annoying song everytime someone gets a boundary ("I don't like cricket ......... I love it").

And my other one is that batsmen are taking there slogging a bit too far. Some literally wave their bat and their head as hard as possible and hope to hit the ball. Overall a good invention but less of the bat waving.
Graham, London

Anything that brings back the crowds to the grounds in the UK are a big welcome Allan , India

Having watched the game at Beckenham last night I can honestly say that this new version is going to finish off English cricket.

Why do we need a new format when Australia, New Zealand, West Indies (and all other countries) do not. This will do nothing short of destroy what little style that English Cricket has and should give everyone else a better shot at beating us at Test level.

I say introduce it to Australia and hope it does to them what 40 over cricket has done to our Test team.
Simon Spikin, Bromley

I saw the Glamorgan and Northamptonshire game and was simply amazed by the manner the game was played. 20 over cricket always gives the impression of a slam bang game.

However, Michael Hussey played a superior innings with superb timing and great running between the wickets. It is a great concept and I'm looking forward to the other matches.

Anything that brings back the crowds to the grounds in the UK are a big welcome. Thumbs Up for what I've seen so far
Allan , India

Just compare some of the 20/20 scores with the National League this weekend. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to impact on the longer version of the one day game.

Teams having a trash for the 15 overs (with fielding restrictions), then consolidating for the next 15-20 keeping wickets intact & finally going gun-ho for the final 10-15 overs. It'll be interesting to compare National League scores obtained at the tail end of the season against what is currently achieved. I just pity the poor bowlers!!!
Paul, UK

I went to the Oval for Friday night's game and had a highly entertaining evening both on and off the field.

I don't know why people are getting so wound up by this format, after all neither 5-a-side football nor rugby 7s have diminished their respective sports have they?
Bridget, Surrey, UK

I was at the Oval on Friday night and thought it was fantastic.

Exactly what cricket needs. I love the longer game and regularly attend, but it was great to be able to go after work and see professionals play a form of the game I have frequently played in the past.

Twenty20 needs to be a success to subsidise the county game Phil Walder, Worcester

As for the doom-mongers who profess the death of the game at any change at all, how can playing any cricket in a vibrant atmosphere in front of 10,000 people be bad for cricketers.

I wholly agree with the person who said if their game gets affected by this then they are hardly professional enough.
Dom Firth, London

I went to Bristol on Saturday for the Gloucestershire vs. Worcestershire game. Contrary to my expectations of much slogging, the game was a battle of tight, clever bowling and some brilliant fielding. I think the Twenty20 game is great for cricket!
Mark Shearman, Bath

I went along to New Road last night and thoroughly enjoyed the game and the atmosphere. We were fortunate with the weather, of course, but it was great to see whole families there able to watch a game from start to finish.

For those who prefer the longer version of the game - just remember, Twenty20 needs to be a success to subsidise the county game.
Phil Walder, Worcester

How can the Wales v England game be justified when an Australian knocks Vaughan, Troughton and Flintoff out? At least play Welshmen (even if they have been capped for other countries, eg. Spearman).
Mark, England

I thought this morning's 20:20 game was great entertainment. Good for families and cricket. I had not known about the new format - just flicked onto it this morning and watched most of the three hours!
Eddy Thomas, Anglesey, North Wales

it is the old-fashioned views that have nearly killed of the game of cricket William, Oxfordshire

How appropriate that the Twenty20 Cup was launched on Friday the 13th, for no greater misfortune ever happened to our beautiful summer game. If the ECB see this as the only means of attracting the younger generation, then so be it. But please don't call it cricket.
Geoffrey Cross, England

It is highly irrelevent whether these games are slogathons or not (Bedburg, Canada). The idea of them is to attract young people to the game of cricket. If Twenty20 does this, then I am all for it.

It may well be commercial, but it is for the good of the game. We have two other forms of cricket which are not commercial. Everyone needs to realise that it is the old-fashioned views that have nearly killed of the game of cricket. Move into the TWENTY-1st century!
William, Oxfordshire

The 50-over game is far too long and far to boring. In most instances, the result is a foregone conclusion and it's not exactly my idea of fun to watch batsmen defend and leave, push and prod for 40-overs before hitting out.

Twenty-over cricket is the next logical step in the evolution of cricket if it wants to survive the increasing threat of other sports like Football.

My only wish now is for the ICC to endorse this form of cricket as their preferred version of third generation cricket and for all the international teams to embrace 20-over cricket.
M Shazad, Bradford, UK

I don't understand the logic of people who say it's a waste of time Peter Stiff, Yorkshire

I was at the Oval last night for Surrey's inaugural game. 10,000 people turned up on a beautiful Friday evening to watch a game of cricket. Among the crowd there were a high proportion of women, with their partners all happy to have a beer and watch the action. How can any of that be bad for the game of cricket? I just hope the rest of the games are as well attended.
Tony, London

I really enjoyed the first game. My only criticism was that it was a little bit too fast. Maybe a few more minutes to bowl the overs would improve the quality of the product. I'd quite like a chance to go and get a drink out of the fridge without missing any action!

I don't understand the logic of people who say it's a waste of time watching a game that only lasts three hours. Thousands of football fans travel every weekend to watch games that are a lot less exciting than what I watched last night. Bring on the next game.
Peter Stiff, Yorkshire

I went down to watch the Hants v Sussex game last night and, ok we got lucky with the weather, but the excitement level was high, the atmosphere fun and the ending was terrific. How can a small competition that you can go and watch without taking a day off work and that attracts lots of kids to the sport, and there were quite a few, possibly be bad for the game?

I've only ever been to see first class cricket a few times, but I can see myself going to many more in this format.
JonR, Winchester

20-over Cricket is a great idea. I think it's the only form of the game that would ever have a chance of catching on here in the US, land of the short attention span.
Al, USA

Twenty20 is nothing but a slogging competition Beburg, Canada

The greater skill a player attains, the greater the nature of the contest his skill is pitted in. Thus only the very best play in five-day Test matches. It is a retrograde step to ask professionals to play in these 'tip and run' contests. Their justification is merely commercial, not sporting. Why not do away with the cricket and simply stage the pop concerts and razzmatazz? That would please the youthful audiences!
Bernard Hawcroft, England

This is a step in the right direction. The next thing to address is making the game less reliant on the weather and putting games on at peak viewing times, 1930-2230
Mike Protheroe, Merthyr Tydfil

Twenty20 is nothing but a slogging competition. Calling it 'real cricket' would be a big joke as neither bowlers nor batsmen can prove anything from these sort of matches. Let's not kill the grace of one-day cricket and let's play Twenty20 when there isn't anything better to do.
Beburg, Canada

I don't see how Twenty20 cricket can be a bad thing. Sure it might encourage batsmen to be more aggressive, but isn't that how Adam Gilchrist has become the quality that he is today?
Dan Newton, London

I think it will be good for cricket, as more people would watch it considering that you don't need 5 days or one complete day plus it will be good entertainment as well, I hope something like this starts soon on global level as well.
Khurram Ali, Pakistan

Years ago I watched a 40 over game reduced to 20 overs each side, and it was great entertainment, especially for a those with a shorter attention span. As for slogging, I think that timing the ball is the key!
Jonathan, Sheffield