ICC encourages America

[Oliver]

I saw somewhere this week, that the ICC are to encourage USA in their cricket development.

I suppose it's a good thing, but after the joke that during the Soccer World Cup that the American's hosted a few years ago there was a feeling that they might split the games into four quarters so they could get more advertising breaks in...

...well I worry what they'd do to our beloved game.

One good thing of course is, if the game did well in the States, chances are it would bring about the "green shoots of recovery" in the West Indies.

A few years ago, other nations used to say: "World Cricket needs a strong England."
That may be true - and I'm pleased if they do say that, but what is truer is "World Cricket needs a strong West Indies."

[Rachael]

Oliver - I think the Aussies have been saying for years that they have a serious vested interst in seeing a revival of cricket in Pakistan / India / Sri Lanka... because if those countries are doing well then cricket has a future.

I think they generally took it as read that England, New Zealand and South Africa would somehow pick themselves up and sort themselves out... but I'm not sure about Aussie attitides to the WI: I'm not sure they figure so prominently on the Aussie horizons.

For us though.... I'd say that a strong WI is pretty critical: the public's cricketing horizons seem to be dominated by WI / SA / Aus... with the subcontinent almost in the background.

I'm not sure that's the way it /should/ be... and I, for one, would love to see us start to take NZ rather more seriously as well.... but I fear that tests against India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka just don't yet have anything like the magic of an Ashes / Wisden Trophy contest.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I'm not sure that's the way it /should/ be... and I, for one, would love to see us start to take NZ rather more seriously as well.... but I fear that tests against India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka just don't yet have anything like the magic of an Ashes / Wisden Trophy contest.

Rachael
You are right sub continent cricket has never really caught the imagination of the paying public,The ultimate match for England fans I would think,would be Australia,closely followed by the West Indies,and coming a poor 3rd behind are New zealand and South Africa.
attendances at Test matches have declined I think since we played the Australians less,somehow Shri Lanks dose not capture the imagination the same,not the same anticipation,not much different with India or Pakistan I am afraid.

[Occasional Fan]

I'm a bit surprised at some of these comments. The grounds in England surely tend to fill up for Pakistani tours, don't they? With our multi-ethnic population, I think that will always be the case. I know a couple of guys who are Brits by nationality and Asian by ethnicity who go to see cricket with their Pakistani fathers whenever the Pakistanis are touring - families cheering for both sides. Maybe the following for sub-continental visitors is not quite as widespread as would be the case for SA, WI and Australia, but to say that India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka don't capture the public's imagination is a bit blinkered IMO.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

Maybe the following for sub-continental visitors is not quite as widespread as would be the case for SA, WI and Australia, but to say that India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka don't capture the public's imagination is a bit blinkered IMO.

OC
Old Trafford is an eg of what I am saying,read your post,and with respect you seem to want it both ways,I think the reverse is the case on IDIs,but for as long as I can remember,Sub Continent teams have neve had a 5 Test series,maybe that has some bearing on what I think.
I am talking about English supporters now,I know there is a lot of ethnic support,but ask any supporter would you rather watch England V Australia,or would you rahter see England V Pakistan,the answer is a historical fact

Of sub continent players,as a Lancastrian,I have had the pleasure of having F Engineer in our team,also Wasim has been one of our very best players,and now we have Mongi

The last time I though India was on a par with the Windies as an attraction,were when they had the likes of Bedi(not sure I have spelled his name right)and that team of great spinners.

[Occasional Fan]

You're closer to it that I am, Ernest, and you may well be right. Virtually all my cricket participation these days is via Test Match Special on the internet. I thought that the Pakistanis were generally able to pack the grounds in England when they toured (whether with visiting fans, Pakistanis who are resident in England or English supporters of whatever ethnic origin I don't know), but I could easily have this wrong - it's years since I even saw a test match on TV. I've no idea what sort of crowds the Indians and Sri Lankans attract in England. You're certainly right about tour duration, however: I can't remember a five test tour for any subcontinental team in my memory (someone will doubtless put us both right if we have forgotten one).

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

You're closer to it that I am, Ernest, and you may well be right. Virtually all my cricket participation these days is via Test Match Special on the internet. I can't remember a five test tour for any subcontinental team in my memory (someone will doubtless put us both right if we have forgotten one).

It seems to have changed OF,grounds used to be noisy and full of colours of the Pakistan or Indian supporters,maybe at Lords or the Oval,they can still pack them in,but it seems to be dead in my neck of the woods,and what puzzles me,there is a large ethnic population in and around Manchester,and throughout lancashire,Notice Old trafford have all but lost their Test status.
I used to love watching them,but it seems an age since they were last here.