Time-poor cricket fans praised the thought of a game being completed in just a few hours, while traditionalists moaned at the sullying of their great sport.

Yet, some 16 years on from the format's inception, Twenty20 cricket has captured the masses and is seeping down into local competitions.

The Horsham Cricket Association season resumes this weekend with a four-week block of Twenty20 fixtures; from which the top two ranked sides will compete in a Twenty20 grand final.

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HCA's first standalone Twenty20 competition last season was hailed a success by clubs and administrators, with Rup-Minyip claiming the inaugural premiership.

Before that, the association tested the waters with two Twenty20 fixtures as part of the 2018-19 season.

Despite it's infancy, HCA's Twenty20 history offers plenty to ponder before the action kicks off again.

Rup-Minyip enters its game against Noradjuha-Toolondo boasting an enviable record.

The Blue Panthers are yet to lose a Twenty20 fixture.

The team went five games unbeaten across two seasons, before adding a sixth win to the tally with a nine-wicket rout against Homers in last season's grand final.

Whilst still remarkable, Rup-Minyip's record isn't surprising when the side boasts the competition's best Twenty20 batsman.

Mark Mbofana has hit more runs than anyone else in the shortest format.

The Zimbabwean has plummeted 287 across seven innings at a whopping average of 66.6.

Not far behind him on the run-scoring charts are Jung Tigers' Tyler Neville (225 at 40.5) and Homers skipper Adam Atwood (208 at 51.6).

Twenty20 cricket was meant to be the death of spin bowlers, but across all of the world's domestic and international competitions the tweakers have stood tall.

It's no different story closer to home.

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Jung Tigers skipper Angus Adams has been HCA's deadliest Twenty20 bowler, with his leggies claiming 11 scalps at a more than respectable average of 11.5.

Filling out the minor places are Laharum pair Adam Barber (10 wickets at 5.8) and Joshua Mahoney (9 wickets at 17.6).

The hardest bowler - who has bowled at least 10 overs - to get away has been Tony Caccaviello.

The Noradjuha-Toolondo all-rounder owns the impressive economy rate of 3.6 from the 16 overs he's bowled in Twenty20 matches.

On a broader scale, HCA's ventures into the Twenty20 format have offered a few curiosities.

Teams that have chased - whether by choice or poor luck at the coin toss - have won 68 per cent of all matches.

The average score is 122, and teams have only lost all 10 wickets in an innings on four occasions, out of 23 games.

Whilst Twenty20 cricket is fairly new to HCA, it's offered plenty to think about.

The shortest format return this weekend, with Homers hosting West Wimmera, Noradjuha-Toolondo on the road against Rup-Minyip and Jung Tigers and Horsham Saints meeting at City Oval.

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