Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has called for the introduction of ‘the 12’ in T20 cricket in a series of tweets.
Pietersen argued that a batsman should be awarded 12 runs any time a six travels more than 100 metres. In a second tweet, Pietersen elaborated on his plan expressing four benefits that would come from the proposal: that “no game is over till it’s really over”, the law change would “real excitement”, broadcasters would “have new equations around possibilities of 12s being hit” and that the 12 would add a “new revenue stream that can be sponsored”.
According to the IPL website, such hits are seldom struck.
At the time of writing, just two blows have exceeded the 100-metre mark in the 2021 tournament – one from Kieron Pollard, the other by Glenn Maxwell. In the entire 2020 tournament, there were just nine sixes that were hit 100 metres or further – three of the nine were struck off the bat of Nicholas Pooran.
I want an addition to the rules in T20 cricket!
Or, @englandcricket can do it in the 100.If a player hits a 6 that goes over 100m, I want a 12 awarded! @ICC
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) April 27, 2021
The pluses for a 12, for a shot that travels over 100m:
1. No game is really over till it’s over.
2. It adds real excitement.
3. Broadcasters have new equations around possibilities of 12s being hit.
4. New revenue stream as they can be sponsored.Watch this space…! 💥
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) April 27, 2021
