Cricket News: Indian Premier League a game changer after Kerry Packer's revolution
Forty-five years ago, when all the cricketers were flying to Melbourne to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Test cricket, Australia defeated England by 45 runs, replicating their first encounter in 1877
Kerry Packer, Australian media tycoon, the man behind the controversial World Series Cricket, pictured with Tony Greig, Sussex and England Cricket PlayerBut from behind the scenes, what intrigued the year was Australian television tycoon Kerry Packer signing around 70 top players from all over the world to take part in the private series of matches in contrast to official cricket and compete in 385 one-day games and 16 Super-tests.
The World Series Cricket lasted two years and reverberates even today through the game. While journalist John Arlott entitled it 'a circus', the signing of top players affected their relations with other team members. It included the most significant signings in the form of Imran Khan, Clive Lloyd, Dennis Lillee, and Vivian Richards. The series was the biggest revolution in cricket even before the Indian Premier League was even a thing.
Yet the revolution might never have happened had the Australian Cricket authorities been willing to grant the television rights for Test match cricket to Packer's Australian commercial network Channel Nine.
The lasting impact of 'modern-day revolutionised' cricket
The most prominent reasons for it being entitled revolution are- A private league being conducted apart from the official one back in 1979 and top cricketing stars tilting towards the controversial league for money and opportunity. From earning 210 pounds per Test, they made 1000 pounds through World Series Cricket.
In the era of black and white dominated screens, the games were telecasted from one angle behind the bowler's arm. Replays were a distant reality. And that is where Packer's league became a game-changer. For the first time, games were played under lights. Floodlights played a massive role in evening games, inviting more spectators than usual.
Packer replaced the traditional white color in cricket with colorful ones, which pleased the viewers. Curator John Maley pioneered drop-in pitches, which overtook standard pitches. International cricket pitches were made in such a short period for the first time.
In fact, before this series, even helmets were never used by cricketers. In the World Cricket Series, West Indies bowler Andy Robers hit Australian David Hookes, and helmets came into the picture.
Nowadays, in a televised match, where we expect pitches to be well lit and enjoy the multitude of camera angles are all the gifts of revolution that Kerry Packer bought. Done with pure intentions of the entertainment business and attracting more people to TV, the crazy thing was done single-handedly by the visionary man.
And now, coming to the biggest T20 league, the Indian Premier League has added to the limelight and monetary benefits it gives international and domestic players. While Packer used top-class players to drive television, IPL is using this television to provide a spotlight to unknown cricketing talents, thus adding to the cricket revolution. IPL has been a revelation regarding finances, fitness and the invention of strokeplay.