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Last Updated: Thursday, 3 February, 2005, 17:36 GMT
Holding slams Twenty20 'rubbish'
Leicestershire celebrate winning the Twenty20 Cup
Twenty20 cricket has been a big hit in the domestic game
West Indies great Michael Holding has branded Twenty20 cricket "rubbish" as its international future is debated.

Holding refused to watch last month's Twenty20 match between Australia A and Pakistan in Adelaide.

He told The Voice: "It saddens me to hear people say that it is a real contest between bat and ball. How can simple slogging be good cricket?

"It might have a place in domestic cricket but should never be introduced as an international competition."

Michael Holding
There is nothing good about Twenty20 cricket
Michael Holding

The International Cricket Council chief executives' committee is to discuss the new format, which has proved a massive success at domestic level, in Melbourne on Friday.

Twenty20 cricket, which features games lasting less that three hours, was first launched in county cricket in 2002.

It has since taken off domestically in South Africa, and Australia are planning a state competition next January.

New Zealand will stage the first men's international against Australia next month, and the Aussies are to play England at the Rose Bowl in June.

However, Holding has told his television employers he does not want to commentate on the shortened game.

"What is the point of telling youngsters to watch the game but not to copy the players' techniques?" he continued.

"There is nothing good about Twenty20 cricket. People who disagree don't know what they are talking about."


SEE ALSO
Aussies to launch Twenty20 series
01 Feb 05 |  Australia
Twenty20 Cup gets extra fixtures
12 Nov 04 |  Counties
Twenty20 visions
02 Aug 04 |  Counties
Twenty20 stays at home
21 Jul 03 |  Cricket


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