Wet, Windy Weather Has Put A Damper On Twenty20 Cricket

When the 10th season of Twenty20 cricket began on Tuesday with matches at Tunbridge Wells and Leicester, several counties were "fearing a financial calamity" if the bad weather continued, according to Paul Weaver of the London GUARDIAN's The Sport Blog. The T20 competition is cricket's "cash cow." However,  the number of home fixtures has been reduced from eight to five per county this season, making it "more important than ever that they bring in the money." And this year brings "added competition" from Euro 2012. On Friday England will play Sweden in their second group match. However, the weather forecast is" again wet and windy." Warwickshire have responded by "giving away tickets for their attractive home match" with Worcestershire.Yorkshire Financial Dir Charles Hartwell said of his club's game against Durham, "We have been selling tickets for £5 ($7.70)." Clubs "insure against bad weather." However, many "take out only partial cover because to do so fully is prohibitive" (GUARDIAN, 6/12).