Floodlit cricket – something that seems almost ancient in the modern game what with pink balls, Twenty20 and the influx Sir Allen Stanford’s cash cabinet – appears to be another thing the authorities cannot get right. Last night’s 40-over game between Kent and Leicestershire was abandoned because four floodlight pylons couldn’t be erected high enough in the windy weather, leaving players and fans understandably angry and frustrated.

Thousands trekked to the St Lawrence Ground for Kent’s only floodlit game of this season despite the presence of Sky and the temptation to avoid the autumnal weather. But instead of lights, cameras and action the crowd were treated to a farce – come 8.30 the only action at the ground was in the Sky studio, perched 15 foot up and suffering no ill-effects from the blustery conditions.

Leicestershire reached 23-2 in reply to Kent’s 40-over total of 226-7 before the natural light faded, and the players walked off. The umpires left the carrot dangling, revealing play might be possible if the wind was to die down and many ended up giving up. But this should have been sorted earlier.

Cricket is an entertainment business. The players are there to earn their wages by entertaining the crowds, who pay to be entertained but too often now we see this simple notion ignored by the powers that be. Instead of simply starting the game earlier, or agreeing to a shortened game (say 25 overs per side), the game petered out to a no result. Do the fans get reimbursed for their troubles?

Sky has a little too much influence on our cricket – starting earlier would have caused problems with their television schedule, and so this simple solution couldn’t be used. Floodlit cricket has been in this country long enough for any problems to be sorted – with only two years before the English Premier League’s inauguration, let’s hope the organisation of this important tournament will be a little less chaotic.

The much-hyped Indian Premier League made its debut to television screens worldwide today, but it was Brendon McCullum who provided the real fireworks. In a breath-taking display of sweeping, paddling and blugeoning, McCullum gave the IPL organiser’s the kind of performance they, the advertisters, broadcasters and supporters – billions of dollars worth – have paid to see.

In-between a dazzling open ceremony and and an anti-climactic second innings, McCullum produced a new Twenty20 world record, hitting 158 and carrying his bat in the process. The bowling attack wasn’t light however – Zaheer Kahn, Jacques Kallis and Australian Ashley Noffke provided the ammunition, but McCullum dispatched each with array of leg-side glances, including a fine paddle that only dipped below three feet past the boundary rope. His innings of 10 fours and 13 sixes shadowed anything any other player had to offer, with only team-mate Ricky Ponting reaching 20.

McCullum aside, the game was largely uneventful and the organisers still have a lot to provide the fans. With such a one-sided contest (Kolkata won by a healthy 140 runs, a number considered a decent total in some games) the IPL will hope for closer encounters to follow, but with a number of stars sidelined through injury (including Sachin Tendulkar), enticing matches may not be quick in coming.

Every now and then I am startled by a bit of sporting news, one that shocks and excites me, one that tingles the edges of my nerve cells. Recently a Gillingham win would accomplish this feeling, notably due to its rarity, or in the past, hearing that an England footballer had finally recovered from his pre-major tournament injury scare, and was ready to miss a penalty in whatever game we were about to lose.

But this newsflash was a bit different. Kent revealed that they have obtained the bowling skill of Sri-Lankan Lasith Malinga for three weeks, including the Twenty20 finals on Saturday. Malinga is a fuzzy haired bowler and a fine one-day peformer at that and is certainly Kent’s biggest coup since Muralitheran’s late-season appearances a few years ago. He is an exciting signing and one that will give Kent an edge when they play Sussex in the semi-final this weekend. The team has improved incredibly this year, and Malinga’s arrival will only make Kent a good bet for the title.

It’s hard to believe that for a game that can last five days, or 15 two-hour sessions, the result is often decided by the toss of a coin. Michael Vaughan will be checking his horoscopes tonight after seeing India move the ball enough to account for his team twice, and put them on the verge of a 1-0 lead in this three match series.

Vaughan himself batted with patience and style for his 17th test hundred and having guided his team to 286-3, would have been confident of reaching the draw. But luck again disappeared: Vaughan clipped an average Zaheer Khan delivery onto his thigh pad and the spin took the ball back onto his stumps. Two balls later Bell was given out playing across the line and England’s hopes of keeping the series level had gone.

Khan, the most experienced of the India attack, bowled well but you can’t help but feel he, Singh, Kumble and Santh have had the best conditions. The first day was a critical moment with the toss going India’s way and it’s sad to think that the decision has just about decided the outcome of this game, and England’s hopes of winning the series.