Jay Shah, England, India, and Australia in talks to kill test cricket

[SteveNZ]

Ah yes, the old 'more is more' theory that has strangled the life and meaning out of World events.

Let's cut open the guts of the goose to see how many golden eggs we can grab

 

[Ali TT]

Not sure I want the frequency as high as suggested but the only commercially viable test cricket is between the big 3. Other countries need to focus on creating marquee T20 stars that can generate income for them. If the CT goes well, perhaps India and Pakistan can face off in UAE.

The concept sticks in my throat and I want test cricket to be widely viable like it was in the 90s, but it's not. Have to face up to the reality of what people want, what makes money and rich people's willingness to subsidise a game no one watches in the other 9 nations. Cricket can, and is, being opened up through T20. It doesn't need to spread via tests - in fact, time to revoke test status from Afg, Ireland and Zimbabwe and maybe then you don't need two divisions.

 

[Bahnz]

The countries outside the top 7 will just stop playing tests. Maybe Bangladesh has the audience to host some home tests, but that'd be it. Promotion and relegation would mean the gradual shrinking of the top 7, as teams that drop out would see their standards come apart due to lack of activity and competition, and teams that come in will just get blown off the park. So after a couple of cycles you'll see it be dropped to a top 6, then a top 5, then a top 4. The rules would also be set up to ensure that the big 3 don't go down (i.e. a condition of promotion will be the top team from division 2 beating Eng/Ind/Aus in Eng/Ind/Aus). The only country that realistically has the potential to last in a two-tiered system long-term is Pakistan, and even then that would require a geopolitical shift that allows them to play India.

Just another step on the inevitable march of T20 completely taking over the sport and test cricket being reduced to three 5 test series a year between Aus, England and India.

 

[social]

I hope the head honchos involved get a cancer with similar pain and lethality to their influence on cricket.

What

I hope the head honchos involved get a cancer with similar pain and lethality to their influence on cricket.

What are they doing that’s so wrong?

The BGT attracted world record crowds and huge tv ratings

Meanwhile, SA-Pak was played in front of empty seats

Furthermore, the administration of the game has been beset by issues in many countries for as long as I can remember

Apart from assuming control of all those boards, I have no idea how the ICC can do much more than it is already

Have a look at Australia’s schedule in the program

The team is playing all around the world, is constantly on the road & lucrative tournaments have been given to small nations to prop them up

If the truth be known, Australia’s own fc setup is being degraded because the internationals are rarely available e.g. we’re touring Sri Lanka during our season

It’s about time that some of these other countries start pulling their weight (not Kiwis btw as their crowds are excellent)

 

[Bahnz]

It’s about time that some of these other countries start pulling their weight (not Kiwis btw as their crowds are excellent)

Kiwi crowds are great when England, India, Australia (and maybe South Africa) tour. You'd be lucky to get 3 men and a dog to show up to day 3 of a test v Bangladesh at Seddon Park. Though I guess the same is true for Australian crowds - there were about 50 people in the Gabba for Joseph's matchwinning performance.

Also worth noting that while NZ crowds look great, it's helped by the fact that max attendances range from about 6,000 - 10,000 depending on the venue - which would look miserable at Newlands or Centurion. There's a reason Eden Park doesn't host tests anymore, and it's not just because of the boundaries.

 

[Burgey]

I feel like at least a few of the issues would be solved if Pakistan and India put their big boy pants on, normalised cricketing relations and played each other as part of the program. Would be a huge amount of interest across the SC and more broadly. Can't see it happening in the forseeable future unfortunately.

 

[social]

India is playing against Pakistan in Dubai in Champions Trophy

Worst case scenario should be to schedule a series in the UAE

 

[SteveNZ]

Every decision that the ICC makes should be with the whole picture in mind. Not 'Test between team X and Y makes a certain amount of money, so that determines its viability'. Where does it sit in terms of protecting Test cricket which you absolutely need to maintain long-term and deep interest in the sport, but also alongside T20Is, ODIs, franchise, domestic etc.

The ICC should be at the table with every stakeholder, ensuring they come up with the best solution for today and tomorrow, for all nations. We can't say to the West Indies that you're in Div 2 now, yeah you took a Test off Australia at home and that was box office, but go and play in Dublin, Dhaka, Kabul etc for 2-3 years and if you're good enough (ps you won't be) we'll let you at the big table with the cool kids.

I don't mind if they scrap the WTC and ensure there's enough big series' planned between the major nations (isn't one every 2 years enough for an Ashes?) but at some stage the ICC are going to have to realise that not every international match is an island that needs to create enough revenue to sustain on its own...decide on what the game would look like in an ideal model, and build a financial plan around that.

And for ****s sake hurry up with the franchise windows in the calendar

 

[SteveNZ]

Kiwi crowds are great when England, India, Australia (and maybe South Africa) tour. You'd be lucky to get 3 men and a dog to show up to day 3 of a test v Bangladesh at Seddon Park. Though I guess the same is true for Australian crowds - there were about 50 people in the Gabba for Joseph's matchwinning performance.

Also worth noting that while NZ crowds look great, it's helped by the fact that max attendances range from about 6,000 - 10,000 depending on the venue - which would look miserable at Newlands or Centurion. There's a reason Eden Park doesn't host tests anymore, and it's not just because of the boundaries.

All good points but I think my point always has been that even though we don't get bums on seats for Bangladesh and Shamar roared around the ground to greet all 50 people at the Gabba, it's massively followed on Cricinfo, it's talked about alot, posted on here, highlights packages watched etc. All we heard after the Seddon Park Test was 'ah **** there's no more for ages ' and we go into the no one gives a ****s ville of T20Is (and I reluctantly admit, ODIs). That has to be relevant to any conversation about purely ground attendance and revenue.

If New Zealand somehow lurches into the bottom 8, the game would find it hard to recover. We have no franchise comp, the domestic game is hardly of interest, and we lose guys late in their careers to become slogs for hire more than any other nation.

 

[social]

Every decision that the ICC makes should be with the whole picture in mind. Not 'Test between team X and Y makes a certain amount of money, so that determines its viability'. Where does it sit in terms of protecting Test cricket which you absolutely need to maintain long-term and deep interest in the sport, but also alongside T20Is, ODIs, franchise, domestic etc.

The ICC should be at the table with every stakeholder, ensuring they come up with the best solution for today and tomorrow, for all nations. We can't say to the West Indies that you're in Div 2 now, yeah you took a Test off Australia at home and that was box office, but go and play in Dublin, Dhaka, Kabul etc for 2-3 years and if you're good enough (ps you won't be) we'll let you at the big table with the cool kids.

I don't mind if they scrap the WTC and ensure there's enough big series' planned between the major nations (isn't one every 2 years enough for an Ashes?) but at some stage the ICC are going to

And for ****s sake hurry up with the franchise windows in the calendar

Every decision that the ICC makes should be with the whole picture in mind. Not 'Test between team X and Y makes a certain amount of money, so that determines its viability'. Where does it sit in terms of protecting Test cricket which you absolutely need to maintain long-term and deep interest in the sport, but also alongside T20Is, ODIs, franchise, domestic etc.

The ICC should be at the table with every stakeholder, ensuring they come up with the best solution for today and tomorrow, for all nations. We can't say to the West Indies that you're in Div 2 now, yeah you took a Test off Australia at home and that was box office, but go and play in Dublin, Dhaka, Kabul etc for 2-3 years and if you're good enough (ps you won't be) we'll let you at the big table with the cool kids.

I don't mind if they scrap the WTC and ensure there's enough big series' planned between the major nations (isn't one every 2 years enough for an Ashes?) but at some stage the ICC are going to have to realise that not every international match is an island that needs to create enough revenue to sustain on its own...decide on what the game would look like in an ideal model, and build a financial plan around that.

And for ****s sake hurry up with the franchise windows in the calendar

Windows should be their biggest priority as it’s where the money comes from

Problem is that there’s now too many & some owners have a couple of teams so there’s the possibility of players being lost to their countries while in their prime

 

[SteveNZ]

Windows should be their biggest priority as it’s where the money comes from

Problem is that there’s now too many & some owners have a couple of teams so there’s the possibility of players being lost to their countries while in their prime

That's OK, a couple of windows is fine. But if you're trying to play for Mumbai, Dhaka Dominators, Karachi, T&T and so on, off you go. At some stage players are going to have to value meaningful international cricket over $, as are the administrators of the game.

I refuse to believe there isn't a solution to someone like Trent Boult giving up the international game (basically) at 32 with more years in him, when he clearly does love playing for his country. The fact that a whole bunch of people have turned down contracts in this country over the last 24 months has really prompted nothing from our Board.

 

[social]

That's OK, a couple of windows is fine. But if you're trying to play for Mumbai, Dhaka Dominators, Karachi, T&T and so on, off you go. At some stage players are going to have to value meaningful international cricket over $, as are the administrators of the game.

I refuse to believe there isn't a solution to someone like Trent Boult giving up the international game (basically) at 32 with more years in him, when he clearly does love playing for his country. The fact that a whole bunch of people have turned down contracts in this country over the last 24 months has really prompted nothing from our Board.

It’s a strange one if a bunch of players are turning them down because they’re not badly paid

I see that some might be unavailable for the start of the IPL so maybe that’s a factor

'Groundbreaking' deal sees New Zealand women's cricketers receive significant pay rise

A new, five-year deal will see New Zealand's men's and women's players receive the same match fees across all formats and competitions — but there will still be a big gap between men's and women's wages.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Flem274*]

What


What are they doing that’s so wrong?

The BGT attracted world record crowds and huge tv ratings

Meanwhile, SA-Pak was played in front of empty seats

Furthermore, the administration of the game has been beset by issues in many countries for as long as I can remember

Apart from assuming control of all those boards, I have no idea how the ICC can do much more than it is already

Have a look at Australia’s schedule in the program

The team is playing all around the world, is constantly on the road & lucrative tournaments have been given to small nations to prop them up

If the truth be known, Australia’s own fc setup is being degraded because the internationals are rarely available e.g. we’re touring Sri Lanka during our season

It’s about time that some of these other countries start pulling their weight (not Kiwis btw as their crowds are excellent)

It's the classic corporate issue really of trying to make money through just cuts.

Cricket is a business with multiple products (Aus, Pakistan, SL etc) competing against other sports, but this proposed model clearly comes from a headspace that Aus and SL are competing businesses in a vacuum.

The focus should be on why people are choosing not to attend Aus v WI, and addressing it.

In a world increasingly desperate for authenticity after the advent of mass marketing dissecting and invading every inch of our lives, cricket is only shooting itself in the foot turning inward and focusing on Big Bahoona Charger Flexers vs Cake Shotgun Burger Smashers in the 14th t20 of the year in February.

Contact sports are gonna get banned within 30 years. American sports don't appeal to everyone and football and F1 are in love with oil ridden desert dictatorships. Test cricket could be one of the few sports that is still real soon.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

It’s a strange one if a bunch of players are turning them down because they’re not badly paid

I see that some might be unavailable for the start of the IPL so maybe that’s a factor

'Groundbreaking' deal sees New Zealand women's cricketers receive significant pay rise

A new, five-year deal will see New Zealand's men's and women's players receive the same match fees across all formats and competitions — but there will still be a big gap between men's and women's wages.

www.abc.net.au

Trent Boult and Neil Wagner retired solely because the women got a pay bump.

 

[honestbharani]

I feel like at least a few of the issues would be solved if Pakistan and India put their big boy pants on, normalised cricketing relations and played each other as part of the program. Would be a huge amount of interest across the SC and more broadly. Can't see it happening in the forseeable future unfortunately.

Look, normalizing just cricketing relations would require one of our politicians to put the game before the votes. I dont think such a politician actually exists anywhere in the world, forget about just India.

 

[honestbharani]

It's the classic corporate issue really of trying to make money through just cuts.

Cricket is a business with multiple products (Aus, Pakistan, SL etc) competing against other sports, but this proposed model clearly comes from a headspace that Aus and SL are competing businesses in a vacuum.

The focus should be on why people are choosing not to attend Aus v WI, and addressing it.

In a world increasingly desperate for authenticity after the advent of mass marketing dissecting and invading every inch of our lives, cricket is only shooting itself in the foot turning inward and focusing on Big Bahoona Charger Flexers vs Cake Shotgun Burger Smashers in the 14th t20 of the year in February.

Contact sports are gonna get banned within 30 years. American sports don't appeal to everyone and football and F1 are in love with oil ridden desert dictatorships. Test cricket could be one of the few sports that is still real soon.

I see a few posters pointed out which parts may not work from my idea but the point is, the only way a tier system does not kill cricket is you still find a way for the teams from the top tier to play the teams from the next tier. If the split is indeed 7-5, I would like to see the tier 1 teams play 10 series between each other home and away (since Ind-Pak cant happen) every 4 years but also play the other 5 in 2 test series once. This can still enable about 40 tests for each team min. for tier 1 and about 38 tests min. for teams in tier 2 in a 4 year period.

This can also take care of the gap year issue that CA, mainly,, seem to be having. Each of the big 3 can play one of the others in a 5 test series either home or away every year. I think India can handle the gap year better than Eng or Aus from a financial perspective. For example, assuming this new cycle starts in 2028 -

2028 - Ind in Aus, Eng in Ind
2029 - Aus in Eng,
2030- Aus in Ind, Ind in Eng
2031 - Eng in Aus,

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Change the funding model to assist countries in series where they lose money and have longer series against the sides where they do make money.

When this was floated before people argued that the rich boards deserved more money because they generated more money and that the other boards would just mismanage the profits anyway. They're all capitalist swine who should be disposed of.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

I see a few posters pointed out which parts may not work from my idea but the point is, the only way a tier system does not kill cricket is you still find a way for the teams from the top tier to play the teams from the next tier. If the split is indeed 7-5, I would like to see the tier 1 teams play 10 series between each other home and away (since Ind-Pak cant happen) every 4 years but also play the other 5 in 2 test series once. This can still enable about 40 tests for each team min. for tier 1 and about 38 tests min. for teams in tier 2 in a 4 year period.

This can also take care of the gap year issue that CA, mainly,, seem to be having. Each of the big 3 can play one of the others in a 5 test series either home or away every year. I think India can handle the gap year better than Eng or Aus from a financial perspective. For example, assuming this new cycle starts in 2028 -

2028 - Ind in Aus, Eng in Ind
2029 - Aus in Eng,
2030- Aus in Ind, Ind in Eng
2031 - Eng in Aus,

I don't think it's a problem of scheduling, it's the fundamental issue of what the ICC envisions test cricket should become.

 

[honestbharani]

When this was floated before people argued that the rich boards deserved more money because they generated more money and that the other boards would just mismanage the profits anyway. They're all capitalist swine who should be disposed of.

To be fair, that part still remains true. Just because the Pig 3 boards are pigs does not mean the other boards are run by angels. Most of them are all in it to make money for themselves. The old Zim and even Windies boards were example of this, weren't they? Even the many PCB boards that have been there since 2010.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Sporting bodies are some of the most corrupt organisations on the planet, the only reason the big boards bring it up is to flex their muscle.