Test cricket could die out warns MCC

[Roni_uk]

I wasn't sure where this thread would go but interesting recommendations by the committee for a world test championship. I do remember few people here in the forum made the same suggestions few weeks back.

http://www.cricinfo.com/mcc/content/...ry/414440.html

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Cricinfo staff

July 15, 2009


The future of Test cricket dominated the two-day MCC World Cricket Committee meeting at Lord's, with the sombre conclusion being that it is in danger of dying out. The committee put forward recommendations including a World Test Championship, a trial of day/night Test cricket and pink balls in a bid to make the longer format more appealing.

"Except for certain icon series, such as the Ashes, Test cricket throughout the world, and in particular the lower-ranked nations, is in very real danger of dying," a statement by the committee said. "MCC's research proved that attendances at Test cricket have declined in recent years. In addition, there is a growing ambivalence towards the longer format of the game from cricketers in certain nations, with player surveys revealing that an IPL contract was the main career aspiration for many."

"The committee is deeply concerned that the proliferation of lucrative domestic Twenty20 leagues, such as the IPL, will lead to the premature retirement of quality international cricketers. Those from the lower-ranked Test nations could be particularly susceptible to such a career choice, based on earnings alone."

Referring to a World Test Championship, the committee said that the game "needs a World Test Championship and it needs one within the short-term. Work should commence immediately on devising the appropriate format."

Those views were endorsed by Steve Waugh, a member of the committee. "Test cricketers want to play for a world championship, like what happens in one-day and Twenty20," he said. "Something has to be done to lift the game's profile."

Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand batsman, suggested an eight-team format in which teams play three-match series and then move towards the semi-finals and final. The committee said the proposal, which must first reach an ICC agenda, would fit in with the current Future Tours Programme.

"If there's something to play for, it's definitely going to make a difference," Rahul Dravid, another member of the committee, said. "This sort of thing would help motivate players because when No. 7 plays No. 8 it's almost meaningless."

A ranking system is currently employed by the ICC and Australia sit on top of the table after beating South Africa in March. Cricket Australia hired consultants over the past couple of years to shape a Test championship model but went cold on the idea after not getting any support from the other ICC members.

Other aspects the committee hope will increase the attractiveness of Tests include playing day-night games using a pink ball. "We are hoping to stage one here next year against Bangladesh," the MCC's head of cricket John Stephenson said. "We would like to experiment with a pink ball. We've done the research and think it's worth trying. We want to safeguard the future of Test cricket."

After the meetings the committee also demanded stricter controls on the number of international players appearing in the IPL. "The committee is deeply concerned that the proliferation of lucrative domestic Twenty20 leagues, such as the Indian Premier League, will lead to the premature retirement of quality international cricketers," the committee said. "Those from the lower-ranked Test nations could be particularly susceptible to such a career choice, based on earnings alone."

The IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi spoke to the group for more than an hour on Tuesday and emphasised that the league's success stemmed from it being market-driven.

[Tigers_eye]

Poor stuff by cricinfo staff. Why quote twice the same thing? Does it make the argument stronger? I know you would love to see BD disappear from the face of cricket. Go enjoy your 1977 ashes victory 3-1 or India drawing with Mighty Australia 2-2 (when 25 top Australian players left for packers).

[al Furqaan]

in a way, the zimbabwe and west indian crises are good for BD cricket. Test cricket has lost 2 fairly strong teams - as of now - that leaves a top tier of just 7, and that certainly is not apetizing for promoting the game. hence, any talk of officially n-tiering cricket will be put ont eh backburner, much to the dismay of the BCCI, ECB, and CA.

on the other hand, this exposes the flimsyness of BCCI and others refusing to host us. test cricket attendence, barring the ashes, is almost nil. if people aren't showing up, how many people are watching on TV? if ratings drop, sponsors should notice. meaning sponsors are essentially dumping money into Test cricket, except when its BD, even though that will have minimal effect on revenues etc. i mean how many unemployed, or schoo-drop outs are staying at home and watching all 5 days of test match? obviously not many.

anti-BD policy has been exposed.

[Roni_uk]

Revenue can always be increased through world championship even if the team is Bangladesh or Zimbabwe. How many people know (non BD) that we won the series against the Irish and how many know that BD lost against the Irish in the WC (twice). The number for the latter will be a lot higher.

I am glad to hear that Bangladesh will be one of the first nation to play day night test next year.

[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.

[bangla-red]

If the World Championship is created, Bangladesh won't be in it

[Beamer]

Good. Die test cricket. At least we won't be arguing whether our win is a proper win or not.

[Rabz]

Kisui hobena.
Shudhu shudhu chilla chilli.

Its not about test cricket or Bangladesh.
Its about IPL.

The power base of cricket has really shifted from England/Australia to India.
This is making the old godfathers nervous.

Even though their claim may be right about test cricket, but i dont think they give a hoot about it.
They'd rather have 5 countries play cricket, as long as the shots are called from Lords.

[Nafi]

Originally Posted by Roni_uk

Other aspects the committee hope will increase the attractiveness of Tests include playing day-night games using a pink ball. "We are hoping to stage one here next year against Bangladesh," the MCC's head of cricket John Stephenson said. "We would like to experiment with a pink ball. We've done the research and think it's worth trying. We want to safeguard the future of Test cricket."

This is our target, to improve ourselves enough to win this test.

That should our goal, to beat England in England in Test.

[raf-stah]

get lalit modi to market test cricket

no worries then.

[IanW]

I'd actually be more than happy with day-night Test matches.

As far as I see it, they'd need to be played with a white ball (or, more likely, a series of white balls), which means we'll lose some old skills, such as bowling with a new ball or an old ball.

But we've already lost the skills of bowling or batting on wet wickets and sticky wickets, so these things happen.

Tigers vs England as a day/night series ? Bring it. But, please, volunteer to play three day/night games against England A sides first.

Oh, and Tour Ireland First. They deserve a months worth of solid cricket