It may have been New Zealand's retro moustaches, wigs and floppy hats, but Ricky Ponting was far from convinced that Twenty20 cricket would catch on after the first international match at Eden Park 20 years ago.

"I think it's difficult to play seriously," the Australia skipper said after smashing 98 from 55 balls to help his team to a 44-run win at the Auckland stadium.

"If it does become an international game then I'm sure the novelty won't be there all the time."

Fast-forward 20 years and T20 dominates the modern game, with Ponting one of its most sought-after coaches.

Franchise leagues have spread across the globe, teams carry eye-watering valuations, and players can earn multiples of what their cricket boards can afford to pay them to stay loyal to national teams.

While blamed for

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