Possible changes to Test cricket

[Occasional Fan]

Interesting report from the BBC here.

Highlights:

1. ICC apparently not pursuing two "divisions" for test playing nations.
2. BUT possibly restricting amount of test cricket available to the two lowest ranked nations - presently Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
3. A bit more time between back-to-back tests being considered.

Worryingly, one unnamed broadcaster predicts the demise of test cricket on the basis that "the market doesn't want it".

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by BBC

ICC ponders Test shake-up

I would not worry, it takes a lifetime for the ICC to get past the pondering stage.

[Mike]

The ICC also admitted certain stakeholders had queried the long-time future of Tests over the more commercially viable one-day internationals.

It quoted one broadcaster as saying: "Test cricket is unsustainable and it is only a matter of time before the market kills it."

So the ICC are going to cow-tow to pressure from broadcasters. What a weak organisation.

The ICC sought feedback from an exhaustive list of national board chief executives, current captains and former players, sponsors, broadcasters and members of associated members.

Why aren't the views of the cricket-watching public being sought? Other organisations consult the public when the issue in question effects the public.

[Ernest]

Why aren't the views of the cricket-watching public being sought? Other organisations consult the public when the issue in question effects the public.

Like you say the iCC is weak, it's opinions will sail with the wind, what good would our views do anyway, none I fear.

Now if this had been soccer, things would have been different

Maybe it is just as well we are not to be consulted, public opinion might just back a change.

Test Cricket lies in the hands of the indevidual boards of the cricketing nations, IMO, they will ensure Test Cricket lives on, not the ICC, or the broadcasters.

[Mike]

Sometimes things are said in the media to shape public opinion or to guage public opinion. I will be sending my view via the ICC online email form at http://www.icc-cricket.com/icc/contact-us.html

Five-day Test cricket is great and should remain in our diet of cricket entertainment. It would be very sad if the pyjama version was held up as the pinnacle of cricket to aspire to.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Mike

Sometimes things are said in the media to shape public opinion or to guage what public opinion might be. I will be sending my view via the ICC online email form at http://www.icc-cricket.com/icc/contact-us.html

Not all media would want to shape public opinion away from Test cricket, I cant see broadsheets joining in the clamor, some broadcastors might do just that if they thought it was worth it.
Newspapers and TV have a lot to gain with Test cricket as it is, it lasts for 5 days, so they have more coverage, and most of the commentators IMHO would not go along with it, the bulk are ex Test players.

Originally Posted by Mike

Five-day Test cricket is great and should remain in our diet of cricket entertainment. It would be very sad if the pyjama version was held up as the pinnacle of cricket to aspire to.

People like one day cricket, but I think bar a hard core, really prefare test cricket, you can't change peoples views just like that.Like polatics sport is a fixture in peoples minds, nothing could change myself, or I doubt members of this forum, or the BBC forums for that matter.
I predict if they get rid of Test cricket, it will die, and be even more of a minority sport.

[Richard Jenkins]

My response.

Dear Sirs

I read with interest the recent ICC press release .
From the BBC
"The ICC also admitted certain stakeholders had queried the long-time future of Tests over the more commercially viable one-day internationals.

It quoted one broadcaster as saying: "Test cricket is unsustainable and it is only a matter of time before the market kills it." "

Well as a cricket fan and member of the public, I would be against the loss of test matches. The ICC has asked broadcasters. Now ask the public what they want.

If the ICC does decide to stop test matches, I will contest the decision by writing, phoning , lobbying , protesting and resorting to the legal process if need be.

Regards

Richard Jenkins


Test cricket is a form of international cricket which show the toughest teams in the toughest conditions.
I think most cricket fans would be sad to see it go, but I can see the day when tests are four or even three day matches, and I can see Test matches dissapearing altogether.

I suppose I sound like 'disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' don't I!

[Occasional Fan]

No, Jenko. You sound a bit like me.

[Richard Jenkins]

Rant mode on
Well if the ICC decide to get rid of test matches, I will set up an alternative organisation called the World Cricket Council and write to the cricket boards (all/any I can find) and charge them say 5,000 euros to join and for that they get to play test cricket. Any country could apply as long as they could guarantee the pitch conditions.(I'm a greedy git). Any profit would be used to set up a Test Match Acadamy, where Boards could send players to train.
Then I'd draw up a five/ten year test timetable and send it to the relative boards. They get to charge /organise venues/sell TV/Broadcasting rights as they wish.
I'd keep the 5 day format and the laws of the game would remain in the hands of MCC.

If the Ashes series went, the ECB would loose millions.

But if the ICC are determined to get rid of test cricket, I'm quite sure I'd make a profit doing it for them.


I thought the stuffy idiots in the MCC were bad, but they'd never suggest getting rid of tests.

What a bunch of self serving imbeciles the ICC are. It's not a question of what's good for the broadcasters , but what's good for the game of cricket. Test cricket is good for the game, and OK, it takes a while to get used to the water, but most countries swim , even Bangledesh seem to be doing ok ish.

This is what happens if the 'money men' get involved in a sport. Really the ICC should be enforcing ceiling onto cricket boards for the amount they can charge for series (be it tests or ODI) otherwise they'll kill the Goose that laid the golden egg.


The ICC need to create a market within the world scene by fast tracking countries into test status by investing into thier infrastructure and ensuring the support is there; Imagine what would happen if Pakistan stopped playing India in tests, or England stopped playing Australia. Perhaps one day we could see China v USA or France V England (I hope France stuff them)
But no, the imagination of Malcom Speed is à la Urah Heap 'I'm ever so humble Sirs and I don't want to cause any problems'
Well flipping heck, your paid to promote the game of cricket and create markets, not cow tow to the mass media.
So pull your finger out and sell the test match message to the good people of this planet.


Fools. Where's the Vision, where's the enthusiasm, where's the direction?

Rant mode off

[admin]

Good rant, Jenko. I'd like to also point out that the nature of the game would change if shortened. Currently, a spinner is added to most teams on the basis that the pitch will wear and offer some turn to the spinner who then has a better chance of taking wickets. If matches were shortened to 3 or 4 days spinners are unlikely to be as effective and may struggle to get selected at all on some pitches.