Twenty over cricket has taken the English professional game by storm, yet it's never been touted as the answer to England's Test problems.

That is until now.

Clothing manufacturers North Gear have got hold of the idea and are running a brand new national amateur league based on the popular format.

It's certainly a different approach but will it work and how will this help England win back the Ashes?

I spoke to Kim Williams at North Gear to find out what their vision is for club cricket in the UK and what the heck will they get out of it?

English National Club Cricket League

National cricket is not a new idea. The ECB have long been aiming for a single non-professional league with the best sides from all over the UK. The benefits of having a clear peak to the pyramid similar to the structure of non-league football are clear to the governing body: higher standards and greater participation levels.

Until now it's been a step too far, although the Premier League structure is moving that way. North Gear have decided to run with a league in a different way, using it as tool to develop their business.

Like many cricket equipment companies, North Gear needs exposure to make their money. They are not interested in sponsoring Andrew Flintoff or anyone else to do this like others do. Instead they conjured up the 2020 Premier League as a way to get their name out.

And this league is no fly-by-night venture: Sky Sports have already agreed to televise the finals at a first class venue.

So it's in with the special orange balls, coloured equipment (made by North Gear and supplied to all participating clubs), music, razzmatazz and Twenty20 rules.

Clubs and Players are Profiting

For many players, the profile of performing well on finals day could easily lead to interest from first class counties, a professional career and a step towards international cricket.

But it's not just about the players.

Founding clubs in the league (of which there are around 50 already) are suddenly getting more sponsorship. After all, people actually come to watch 20 over cricket and sponsors realise this.

Many clubs may see it as a gamble: The entry fee is over £1300 with no guarantees of extra income.

But on average, according to Kim at North Gear, league clubs are already making thousands extra in sponsorship money. Easily enough to cover the entrance fee and make extra profit. That's without the bar takings from extra people coming to watch.

Each club needs to go in with their eyes open, but judging by the success so far, it may well become a no-brainer within a couple of seasons.

Filling the Gap Left by the Academies

Kim doesn't want it to end there either. He has a vision for the future of cricket based around the league.

The way he figures it, club cricket has more potential to boost the popularity of the game than the county scene has. It's more local so it can inspire greater passion within communities and has the kids playing the game.

Kim rightly pointed out that there is a gaping chasm to cross for many players once they leave school. It's something I have written about before.

For many the choice is simple: If you have talent you are snapped up by an Academy to be dropped into the county pro system. If you don't make the grade you get a 'proper' job.

A lot of people don't even continue at club level. Many late developers are lost to the game.

A non-professional league with a real competitive element (and real spectators) would fill this gap. It could act as a showcase for late developing players and stop kids leaving the game (especially if the extra sponsorship and club money can go into making star players semi-professional).

Standards of the club game could also be boosted as top sides invest to get to the finals. Better coaches, sports strength and conditioning experts and psychologists could all become the norm at club level. That means higher quality further up the chain too.

As the clubs get better, so will England, and it could all be driven by North Gear's idea.

A long Way from Tradition

Yes, all this talk is far away.

Club cricket is steeped in the amateur traditional and committee system which may never agree to the changes. On the other hand, money is a powerful motivator for any club. Extra sponsorship, more bar takings and regular spectators could be enough to drive things through.

As Kim told me, commercialism has the power to save local cricket. The North Gear 2020 Premier League has the potential to bring this commercial element to the recreational game and boost the professional one.

Time will tell if this can work, for the sake of English cricket I hope it does.

If you would like to know more about your club joining the league, email info@northgear-int.com or call North Gear on 01179 064590.