There's a new form of cricket that has been causing quite a storm in England and that is about to hit the headlines around the world - welcome to the game of Twenty 20!

When Twenty 20 cricket was first introduced in England it seemed to bring a lot of controversy with it. Cricket is, by its nature, a game of tradition. Many of the laws of the game have been in use for many years - this is a sport that often does not welcome change easily.

So, when the new version of the game was introduced, threatening to revolutionise the sport, many traditional cricket fans were less than impressed.

Twenty 20 arrived as a response to dwindling attendance figures at domestic cricket matches in England. The administrators decided that something new was required to revitalise the sport.

The new version of the game was to be much shorter than other variants. It was intended that matches could be played in the evenings, meaning that spectators could see the matches after a day at work.

Various additional entertainment was added in an attempt to make every cricket match family friendly.

Twenty 20 received mixed reactions - some players loved the fact that they were now playing in front of larger crowds. Administrators saw healthy attendance figures, ensuring a greater income.

Some international cricketers and experienced professionals were less convinced. They wondered whether yet more matches could be fitted into the busy international schedule.

This year sees the introduction of the first ever Twenty 20 World Cup, with 12 nations taking part. It promised to herald the latest chapter in the long history of cricket.