Test Twenty highlights ever-evolving business of spotting cricketing talent

As a boy, I dreamed of playing cricket for my county and my country. Obviously, I was not the only one. Very few made it to the top. The financial rewards at the time were slim but the status counted for something. The pathways to the top were random.

A scout would come to matches to watch players. Over time, he formed a view and reported to the county coaches. An invitation to a trial might be issued, a single chance to impress. Failure was unlikely to gain a second chance. Even success did not guarantee a second invitation. 

In today’s game there are much more structured pathways in place to identify talent capable of progressing to professional level. Generally, these are in age groups, starting with under-10s. In England and Wales, the pathways are organized by the county cricket boards. Naturally, the boards hope that their investment in these players will result in them displaying loyalty. The advent of franchise cricket has begun to disrupt this balance. It may be about to receive a new shock.

Last week, a new global initiative was launched, titled Test Twenty. Its focus is on 13- to 19-year-old males, with a female equivalent mooted for the second season. Test Twenty’s format concept comprises 80 overs, divided into two innings of 20 overs per side, with scores carrying forward as in Test cricket. Matches can end in a win, draw, tie or loss. There will be some tinkering with playing conditions but, crucially, players will wear white kit and a red ball will be used. The concept is billed as cricket’s fourth format, after Test, 50 overs (one day) and T20. This takes no account of either The Hundred, which is played only in England and Wales and is regarded as subset of T20, or T10 cricket, presumably for the