Pan Africa Team.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Maybe a zonal approach would be better, I don't know, but IMHO doing nothing is not an option, or Zimbabwe will just remain perenial whipping boys, that can't be right, leaving politics out for an instant.

I guess the answer for Zimbabwe would be a change in government.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Pete

I guess the answer for Zimbabwe would be a change in government.

That would be good, but that would not produce good players, even if the rebels came back, what of the future beyond, I would guess the goverment will be there for quite a while yet.

Even so, a continent as large as Africa, as only one major tea, "South Africa", the continent needs developing.

[Zainub]

a continent as large as Europe also has only one major team Ernie

[Ernest]

True Zainub, but people have been pushing the case for Holland to become a Test playing nation.

I know Africa has The Cameroon, but Europe as a whole is far more soccer orientated than Africa, I think you was talking about England being the major Test cricket playing nation in Europe, but even here we are a poor second to soccer.

So if you take Soccer and cricket, Englands sporting needs are more than catered for, like in mainland Europe, Soccer is big.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Ernest

True Zainub, but people have been pushing the case for Holland to become a Test playing nation.

I know Africa has The Cameroon, but Europe as a whole is far more soccer orientated than Africa, I think you was talking about England being the major Test cricket playing nation in Europe, but even here we are a poor second to soccer.

So if you take Soccer and cricket, Englands sporting needs are more than catered for, like in mainland Europe, Soccer is big.

Soccer is the biggest sport in Africa / South Africa too.

And whoever is pushing for Holland to become a test team is crazy.

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Pete

And whoever is pushing for Holland to become a test team is crazy.

As much as I love Ernie's optimism, I don't quite see how I can disagree with Pete's views on Holland's bid for gaining test status

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Pete

Soccer is the biggest sport in Africa / South Africa too.

I did not know, but I had this feeling that someone was going to post this remark, I don't doubt you are correct, but the fact still remains cricker is not developed in Africa, and even before the rebels affair, zimbabwe with respect were no great shakes as a world cricket power, that is why i think there should be some form of confederation.

Originally Posted by Pete

And whoever is pushing for Holland to become a test team is crazy.

Well this has been speculated on for some time, it keeps popping it's head up.

On this forum Goatman is the main supporter of Holland getting a higher status, he lives there, so he has more first hand knowlage.

I remember one thread I was involved in, and it was suggested there could be a cricket team "A team called Europe", I was well unchuffed with this suggestion, but this may sound two faced, but not the same as Africa, because England are a major force.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

As much as I love Ernie's optimism, I don't quite see how I can disagree with Pete's views on Holland's bid for gaining test status

I agree really, but I think there should be a place for teams such as Holland and Scotland ect to play some form of major cricket, maybe with the major cricketing countries A Teams, it would be well worth watching from a Dutch or Scottish/Irish point of view.

The main problem after Africa though has to be Bangladesh, they seem to be in eternal struggle, I don't even have a suggestion for them, they seserve better.

[Teatime FatCat]

Ern, who exactly is pushing Holland for Test Status? I'll bet it's not the Dutch!

[Ernest]

People in general have been looking at just this point for ages, commentators in free times have talked about if it could be possible, grounds finance ect.
Been quite a few threads on forums, and according to Goatman who lives in Holland, the Dutch are keen to upgrade their cricket, you must remember some of them threads Teatime.
Going back to when I was a lot younger, Holland produced players like Van Trooste, a quick who played for Somerset I think.
More talk than pushing really, but the topic is still there, at official level, wheather anything comes of it, well thats another matter.
I think Goatman also said, Swedan had apspirations for higher things cricket wise also.