I'm glad that you used the "entry'level" phrase, because I think a very good metaphor for first-class and Test cricket is Jaguar cars. Not only are they very traditional and very English, they're also relatively unprofitable. In fact, they made rather a large loss last year. But despite that, they're still being produced. They've even designed a brand new model to come out this year. And the reason for this is that there's still a definite niche demand for them, which is why you still see them on the streets.

So what does this have to do with first-class and Test cricket? Because if they become niche sports, they'll still have a following. Quite a significant one, in fact, one that includes most players and adminstatrors, and I suspect that the televisers like them as a convenient way of filling in five days of their schedule. While I think there's room for improvement in the way Test cricket is handled, it seems to me that most people involved in the running of the game want it to continue to be a part of cricket- even if it isn't as profitable as T20s. So just as Jaguar's new owners haven't given up on that brand, I'm not going to give up on this one.

Well I've said my piece, and it's pretty clear to me that I'm not going to convince you of anything, nor you of me, so I might as well sign off for this thread here. Thanks for an interesting discussion, though. Made me use my little grey cells more than once!