Random Cricket Thread (Domestic Cricket)

[hopeforthebest]

If the distance of a marathon was reduced to 20 miles would it still be a marathon and the great test of stamina and speed that it is.

[westoelad]

I believe 5 days is fundamental to the game and a change to 4 days would ensure many drawn games. You have throw away all the test records and start again and break the historic link with all the great players of the past. Test cricket can lose hours to bad weather and still get a result that wouldn't be possible in four days.

Not so sure that records would be invalid. When Pakistan and New Zealand were in their infancy they played 3 day tests v England iirc but the stats were still valid.

[westoelad]

If the distance of a marathon was reduced to 20 miles would it still be a marathon and the great test of stamina and speed that it is.

It would be midway between a half and full marathon both of which at present are perfectly acceptable and recognised tests of stamina and speed. 4 day tests aren't a new concept.

[meninblue]

4 day test will be another shot at test cricket.

If the ECB member wants to promote T20 more then why does he not says it clearly rather than saying 4 day tests will benefit consumers. Okay, how someone concluded 4 day test will benefit consumer Was survey done and if yes whether T20 consumer was asked question or Test consumer was asked question.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I believe 5 days is fundamental to the game and a change to 4 days would ensure many drawn games. You have throw away all the test records and start again and break the historic link with all the great players of the past. Test cricket can lose hours to bad weather and still get a result that wouldn't be possible in four days.

I agree mostly. If it's not five days, it's not Test cricket, it's another game. You can argue that cricket survived the change from timeless Tests (and we don't have a problem with the knock on effect on stats) but if we start limiting first innings it's another game. Call it something else. Given how integral and necessary for the game the fifth day has been over the years, when I hear someone say they want to preserve Tests by making them four day, I actually don't believe them, and I don't trust them.

[Dr Cricket]

Agree arthur.
Don't trust ecb on this just a ploy to get more t20 games.
Thankfully Asian bloc are not keen on it or ICC for the matter.
Also to answer rich question on the other thread.
The reason it isn't everywhere will be that most boards don't want it but they happy if ecb wanna try it bit like day night test.

From Harrison it suggest 4 day test will only happen in England.
Wonder what it actually means since I doubt ashes or an India test will be 4 days so will England host some games 5 days and others 4.
Ironic part is england probably the place that needs a 5 day because of the weather.

[westoelad]

I believe 5 days is fundamental to the game and a change to 4 days would ensure many drawn games. You have throw away all the test records and start again and break the historic link with all the great players of the past. Test cricket can lose hours to bad weather and still get a result that wouldn't be possible in four days.

I agree mostly. If it's not five days, it's not Test cricket, it's another game. You can argue that cricket survived the change from timeless Tests (and we don't have a problem with the knock on effect on stats) but if we start limiting first innings it's another game. Call it something else. Given how integral and necessary for the game the fifth day has been over the years, when I hear someone say they want to preserve Tests by making them four day, I actually don't believe them, and I don't trust them.

Historically there have been international matches scheduled to last 3 or 4 days and they were called Test matches. Slight tampering with the format of the game shouldn't mean it's name has to be changed. The number of overs in ODIs has changed over the years but they're still ODIs. Agreed there's nothing more enthralling than a Test Match which goes into the 5th day with any of 3 results possible but how often does this happen? Advance sales for the 5th day indicate that this rarely happens. Market forces show that demand for T20 vastly outstrips that of Test matches.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ok, if the future goal of cricket is to promote T20 then that could be stated clearly, and this suggestion be seen for what it is. If there's no future for five day international cricket, then equally surely there is no future for four day international cricket.

Cricket has such a rich tradition which is a huge resource, but is so casual in undermining it. Which annoys me so much. This is marketing presented as realism. Soon enough believing in Test cricket will be presented as well meaning but sentimental short sightedness.

Having limited first innings would hugely alter the dynamic of the game. OK, they do not have to do that, but plainly, most of crickets great moments in the modern era wouldn't have happened without the fifth day. I actually think that once the fifth day goes, the remaining value that the game has for so many will be lost, and long form cricket will be less likely to survive, with Tests unable to endure its diminished status, similar to the forlorn destiny of the FA Cup. The what-does-it-matter response to this is part of that degradation.

[Dr Cricket]

not sure why ecb are still pushing this considering bcci will never allow it to happen and I doubt ecb got enough votes to even get it passed.
The fact ecb can't even say how 4 day test would work tells everything about how the plan won't work.

Test cricket is more likely to die if certain games and series are 4 days and others are 5 days.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good old BCCI.

[Dr Cricket]

TBH 4 day test isn't even been discussed in the ICC table so not really sure why graves and Harrison are pushing it for so long when it isn't even likely to happen.
Why give interviews on 4 days test when it isn't even close to happening yet.
ICC at the moment are more keen getting the ftp ractified than changing test to 4 days.
If the ftp is causing problems and so much discussion, not much space or time to discuss 4 day test.

[Dr Cricket]

Good old BCCI.

Bcci probably don't even need to flex the muscles to get it rejected either.

[Arthur Crabtree]

T20 isn't really a goer as an international format. Does any cricket carry as much so-what ennui as a T20 international, outside of the T20 WC? T20 internationals could work if it was truly a global game which allowed it a means of following a FIFA model, but cricket actually prevents the extension of the limited overs game by excluding countries from its international competitions. Test cricket currently works well as the heart of the international game, feeding other formats. Its where cricketers mostly get their status, their position in the pantheon, and the game achieves the gravitas which (I think) is the key characteristic that no other game can match.

[westoelad]

Market forces determine the future of cricket as in any sport. If demand for T20 is greater then that of test cricket then that demand needs to be met if the game as an entity is to survive. Obviously some compromise in Test cricket is required. Why not 4x5day tests rather than 5x4 day tests is for Messrs Groves and Harrison to answer. Maybe they haven't realised they both cover the same time span. The 90 over concept is purely my own - teams acquiring mammoth totals very rarely produces an interesting game. Personally I abhor T20 but reluctantly accept that market forces demand change.
Can't see the BCCI being interested in Test cricket judging by crowds in India v England series and is the ICC not the overall decision making body?

[Arthur Crabtree]

If this idea came from Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, from the recently discovered last letters of Donald Bradman... it might have a little credibility as a way forward for the good of the game itself and its many followers. But it comes from people who run supermarkets. How sensible is it that Graves should have so much say in terms of the integrity of the future of cricket?