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The earlier X Factor reference is over the invitation to fans to 'create your ownÌýband' with inflatable guitars which will made available for groups of people to sing and dance. Not everyone's idea of a good time but it's been given a lot of thought and I like the theory behind it.

They've studied the culture of what makes the Indian Premier League tick. "Bollywood has been integral along with the love of cinema in that part of the world," Elworthy adds.Ìý"In South AfricaÌý(hisÌýhome country)Ìýit's the grass banks and barbeques or braai as they're known there."

What have they come up with for England and Wales? It's not kebabs or curry houses. "Music festivals, the country loves it's music", says Elworthy.ÌýThe hope must be that cricket can identify itself more with pop star cricket fans such as Razorlight, Muse and not forgetting Lily Allen. Before you ask I am aware of their work, well at least some of it.

Trescothick was left haunted by their twenty20 final defeat at the hands of Hampshire last September

Whatever hard work is done by the marketing department Elworthy is determined the game should not become solely a gimmick and the integrity of the competition must be maintained.

The size of boundaries have been tinkered with this year, increasing the minimum size, although one shorter sided boundary will still be allowed. It's again to try and protect the skills employed by all players, notably the spinners. They need to be careful.

My own eyes have seen crowds deflated and dispirited byÌýwatching too much pushing for singles and batsman very nearlyÌýblocking the ball in damage limitation when slow, tight bowling is effective. The t20 crowd appears as much interested in sixes being smashed around the park as they are their own team winning. Good bowling wins you matches but,Ìýwhen it comes to this format,Ìýin my opinion the batting marvels remain longest in people's memory. A good example of this for me wasÌý, a performance which included a record 16 sixes.

This format of cricket should be all about dramatic tales of the unexpected. Professional cricketers brought up to put winning ahead of everthing else will always do whatever it takes to win even if that means negative and less flash playing and that here misses the point.

Each of last year's finalists can put a case for returning.ÌýDominic Cork will hope he can lead his Hampshire side to a succesful defence of the title while Nottinghamshire Outlaws can never be ignored.

Marcus Trescothick led his Somerset teamÌýto the runners-up spot in all three competitions last year but he told me that the was the most painful and could keep him awake at nights. Cork's so called 'Dad's Army' won with the scores tiedÌýbutÌýhaving lostÌýfewer wickets, just the one. They scrambled to parity on the very last ball with a leg bye. The nightmare moment for Trescothick was in the heat of the moment and you couldn't hear yourselfÌý think as he and his side failed to realise that if they'd whipped the ball to the keeper they would run out Dan Christian. He was also losing the plot.Ìý He left his crease to hobble to the non-striker's end when he was employing a runner due to injury. Stranded at the wrong end the umpires left it as long as they could before calling game over but still Tresco failed to pick up on it. As crazy as it was and understandable as it is now for Somerset to be cursing,Ìý those commentating also didn't spot it. It was the finish to beat them all.

Director of cricket at Taunton, Brian Rose admits: "The manner of defeat last year has given us added reason to win it this season."ÌýHis sideÌýhave one of the stongest line-ups, especially of players who can hit the ball cleanly. Rose adds: "It's imperitive that your top six to eight are ball strikers with perhaps one somewhere to nurdle it around."

Ìýis inspired. "Spectacular"Ìýis Rose's view of the player but he's honest enough to admit his qualities as a bowler and fielder, with the latter especially outstanding,Ìýwere not entirely known aboutÌý when they first brought him to Taunton.Ìý After another successful spellÌýin the IPL, Pollard joins them for their last eight group games. will attempt some swashbuckling in the West Country.Ìý

Essex chief executive David East describes t20 games at Chelmsford as theirÌý "Test matches". Advance sales were reported to be up 15% on the same time last year. They do a good job of making life uncomfortable for visiting sides at their proud fortress on a Friday or Saturday night. Three times the club have reached finals day but they have never got past the last four.Ìý Each time they've been selected to play the first match on the big day and lost them all.

Eagles head coach Paul Grayson admits they have little to no time to getÌý themselves ready but he's confident he has some of the best players available. From New Zealand he has and whilst frustrated to be without at the start of the season, who wasÌýawayÌýplaying inÌýthe Indian Premier League, his arrival could be the key to their breaking the duck this season. "He's an outstanding player anÌýall-round cricketer," says Grayson.Ìý"He makes an impact on games and hits the ball a country mile. He isÌýmore than useful with the ball and a superb fielder. He'll run through a brick wall for you, an unbelievable character. He's been with us for seven or eight years now and he's the first to say he's learn't nearly all his cricket at Essex."

The Dutchman suffered a calfÌý injury last year and although he played at the Rosebowl he wasn't fully fit. Injuries had been a problem for EssexÌý which led to the high profile, controversialÌýand dramatic signing of West Indian . Grayson has no regrets over that move: "At the time we signed Dwayne we were struggling. Four of five players out and Styris wasn't available so we needed someone else to come in. It didn't work out and contrary to what people said it was quite a cheap option really.Ìý There were quotes it cost us £12,000 to £15,000 for that weekend but if we'd won the competition it might have cost us somewhere in the region of £8,000 to £10,000 and that would have been money well spent. We felt we owed it to our supporters that we needed to bring someone else in and try and help us win that game. When you sign an international player you're hoping he's going to have a good day but unfortunately it didn't work out."

Sun or at least warmish weather under the floodlights, crowds and excitement are needed, if any of those are missing it could be a struggle.ÌýPut them together and it will be brilliant.