[Raynman]

Not to rehash old arguments over and over again but the following truths can not be ignored:

1. Very few people but the supporters of the two teams actually care about a bilateral series. Series' are also drawn up rather quickly these days and with IPL and other factors the best possible teams are not selected. Better teams are more likely to rest their top players when playing lesser skilled/ranked teams.

2. Only series' between IND, AUS, ENG and SA are actually financially viable. All countries desperately try to land that series against IND because of the sponsorship and tv rights involved.

3. Countries like BD and even SL and NZ are rarely getting more than 2 tests in a series against the 'top tier' teams.

4. Players from BD, NZ, ZIM, now possibly even SL, PAK and WI will ever really play enough tests to have a crack at the records that exist there today

There has to be a structure, predetermined schedule & something to play for for Test to survive. Even if innovation and rule changes are ignored for the 'purity' sake, Test has very little to offer in terms of expanding cricket to other nations, generating revenue and keeping fan interest.

In summation, the following needs to go:

1. Bi lateral series that means nothing. There has to be some form of championship
2. Limitation of Test playing to only 7, 8, 9 or 10 countries. There has to opportunity for other teams to play and have a financial reason to do so
3. A 6 year schedule. Too many uncertainties where very little goes to plan. It should be reduced to a shorter 2 or 3 year cycle in order to schedule properly.
4. Powerlessness of ICC. ICC should be the governing body of International Cricket schedules. The boards should adhere to their guidelines and not have ICC constantly cave to the individual board demands.