ECB Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Twenty20 Cricket

Thursday 13th June 2013

Men’s First Team

Search for domestic t20’s all-time best XI launched to mark milestone

London, Thursday 13 June– Today marks the 10th anniversary of the first ever Twenty20 matches, and to celebrate the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are asking you to vote for the best XI of players to have played in the domestic competition, now known as the Friends Life t20.

The ECB revolutionised world cricket with the introduction of the Twenty20 Cup on 13 June 2003. The inaugural tie saw Hampshire host Sussex at the Ageas Bowl, with four further matches around the country on the opening day. To mark this milestone, the ECB has also launched a new videoof some of its most explosive, exciting and memorable highlights to get the conversation started – click here to view

Headline grabbing moments such as Graham Napier’s stunning 152 not out in 2008, Scott Styris’ world-record 38 runs from a single over on the way to a 37-ball century, and Middlesex’s last-ball win in the 2008 final have provided some of cricket’s most unexpected and unforgettable memories of the last 10 years.

You now have your chance to have a say on standout performers, and Kent cricketers' fantastic contributions to the Friends Life t20; the players that have left the biggest mark on the county competition since its inception. Voting will begin on Monday 17th June, with a chance to vote via Twitter for the best batsman, bowler and all-rounder to have represented Kent in Twenty20 cricket.

Players will then be put through to nationwide fan polls on the ECB’s Facebook page, before the overall best XI line-up is announced on Friday 28th June ahead of the competition’s first full weekend of fixtures.

ECB Chief Executive David Collier commented: “Since the ECB launched Twenty20 cricket in 2003, we have seen incredible moments and individual performances that have paved the way for the format’s widespread popularity around the world today. We hope that by giving fans a chance to vote for the best XI, they will be reminded of the great-value entertainment that will be on offer in the Friends Life t20 this summer.”

Tickets for the 2013 Friends LIfe t20 competition are on sale now! Don't miss the action, to book go to:http://www.ecb.co.uk/tickets/county-tickets.