The first edition of the innovative event concluded in front of a Full House at Lord’s on Saturday, leaving the cricketing fraternity excited.
“I think it has gone beyond expectations,” Warne, head coach of the London Spirit, told Sky Sports.
“The cricket that has been on display, the performances of all the different teams at different times, have been excellent.”
The Oval Invincible took the women’s crown while the men’s competition was won by Southern Brave.
“To see the full houses wherever you go on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday nights in Birmingham, Manchester, London – it’s packed and the crowd really gets into it and I think it’s fantastic It’s only getting bigger and better with every year.
“I think it’s sensational to see how this has really captured the imagination,” Warne said.
The tournament was held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed back the start by a year.
Competing teams play an innings composed of 100 balls each, with the game lasting approximately two and a half hours. It has been conceptualized to attract young audience to cricket.
Pietersen, the former England captain, is not surprised by the response he received in the first edition of the tournament.
“It’s great to see franchise cricket in the UK,” he said.
“One thing we do know is that the British public supports the sport so well.
“It doesn’t matter where it is, where it is; the Tour de France started in this country a few years ago and the roads to see them were packed.
“So you knew the big game, summer sports like cricket, would be supported,” Pietersen said.
The star England batsman of his time, who has also played a little franchise cricket, said, “To see these visuals, to see franchise cricket here and to see it so well celebrated and supported – love it. .
“My little boys, that’s the audience you want, you want the kids to come in, and he’s absolutely buzzing! He’s got his Southern Brave jumper and he’s running around.
“The audience is in, the people (players) have been fantastic, giving their time.”
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