The inaugural game of Twenty20 cricket at the Rose Bowl in Southampton could be the beginning of a new era in county cricket.

It may prove to be a watershed in a game that has tended to resist change for the sake of keeping many traditions intact. It could also be a disaster.

As a player, it will be a privilege to be part of the experiment. In 20 years' time I will be able to tell my kids that I took part in the first ever game of Twenty20 cricket and they will either stare up at me in awe, or look at me as if I've gone stark raving mad.

If it is the success that the ECB hopes it will be, it will become the most popular form of the game in England and help cricket to get back on a par with football as Britain's favourite sport. But if the miniaturised version turns out to be all gimmicks and faade, then it will be quickly forgotten about.

You have probably heard the rules by now. Twenty overs per side with bowlers bowling no more than four overs each and the usual fielding restrictions in place for the first six overs only.

The only other change to the usual rules is that a new batsman must be ready to face his first ball within 90 seconds of a wicket falling.

So be ready for absolute carnage. One thing is for sure, the bowlers will be the only people in the ground not having fun.

Particularly the unfortunate sods who have to bowl during the first six overs when only two men are allowed to be posted on the boundary.

With a hard, new white ball, which may swing a little, the battle between opening batsman and bowler will be the most intriguing and probably decide many matches.

No one quite knows what a 'par' score will be. The answer will surely depend on the conditions of the pitch, outfield and atmosphere. On a juicy, seaming pitch, a run-a-ball 120 might well be very competitive, whereas I wouldn't bet against some team somewhere to score over 250.

Fielding positions and ground fielding in general will be a vital feature of the games.

One of Peter Moores' favourite statistics at the moment is that 70 per cent of last year's one-day games were decided by the margin of 15 runs or fewer.

If that figure is computed down to the Twenty20 format, it would follow that a high percentage of the games will be decided by seven or fewer runs. You see now why every dive, slide and stop will be critical.

The theory behind this type of cricket is sensible. Games can be completed in three hours meaning they can start at 5pm.

Even kids with today's short attention spans will be able to sit and watch for three hours and the evening starts mean people will not need to take time off work to be there.

When all is said and done, however, it is still just cricket. If the idea of someone hurling a piece of leather at someone else does not get your juices flowing, then no amount of colour and razzmatazz is going to save the day.

It will be down to the players to ensure that the bit of leather gets hurled in the most skilful and exciting way possible.

Only then will I be able to look my kids proudly in the eye.

Thursday June 12