2 Divisions for Test Cricket

[TapsC]

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/f ... are_btn_tw

Sounds like a good idea to split the test nations and also give Ireland and Afghanistan a chance. Although I think it should be split equally with 6 teams each. Division 1 probably having Australia England Pakistan SA India and New Zealand whilst division 2 would have Sri Lanka West Indies Bangladesh Zimbabwe Ireland and Afghanistan. the relegation system in both divisions would make it competitive and I like the idea because it kind of guarantees at least 5 test matches a year assuming that every series is at least a 2 test series. a 3 test series would be ideal but I don't see that happening because of the amount of limited covers cricket played these days.

ICC could potentially sponsor the games too

[Kriterion_BD]

Terrible idea. Means Division wont have Test status. No one will care if teams unless India, England, Aus are willing to play you.

[zimfan1]

Terrible idea. Means Division wont have Test status. No one will care if teams unless India, England, Aus are willing to play you.

Can you read?

[Kriterion_BD]

Terrible idea. Means Division wont have Test status. No one will care if teams unless India, England, Aus are willing to play you.

Can you read?

No I can't, but why do you ask?

[TapsC]

The article is saying the top associate team will qualify for test status meaning that both divisions would have test status through and through. it would only take 5 months out of a year too meaning u can still organize a series against opposition not in the same division. A 1 off test against SA like in 2014 would still be possible.I don't see how this can be a terrible idea. Test cricket is losing its glamour because there is nothing at stake unless its the ashes. Only SA India England Australia draw massive crowds every time. why not bring a competitive edge to it?

[eugene]

It is a bad idea because I have zero faith that England, SA, Australia, or India would ever be allowed to not be in the first tier.

[Kriterion_BD]

It is a bad idea because I have zero faith that England, SA, Australia, or India would ever be allowed to not be in the first tier.

Thats not the worst thing, bad as it is. What gaurantee is there that D1 sides will care to play with D2 sides? And then only D1 teams will be genuine Test sides.

[Googly]

ICC has to do something pro-active and I believe this is a great idea. The problem is tier 2 will be starved of the big money games and will require even more financial support from the ICC, which means the ICC will need to become a lot more powerful. Taking a bigger chunk from the big boys' revenue is going to be very difficult. There will be some needle tests when it comes to promotion and relegation time though.

[Googly]

A game changer would be if T20 took hold in the States. It's difficult to fathom the Americans' love of baseball, I've tried a few times to get enthusiastic about it, but it really is a poor excuse for a game and I think that perhaps they should be recolonized.
Those demonstration games were a little lame and showed that the only real following there seems to be amongst the Indian community.
I haven't really been following what's going to happen with the IPL this year after those teams have been suspended but it does seem that the Aussie T20 is really in the ascendancy and may well be of a higher standard than the Indian version.
It's conceivable that cricket may be played more along the lines of clubs and organisations and I like that idea, I'm not sure how that would be received at test level, but I guess it's possible and may well somehow add a new dimension to the game.
Certainly some thought outside of the box is required to prevent it becoming even more insular.

[Kriterion_BD]

Its just a proposal. Doubt WI, BD will vote for it. SL, PAK, NZ are all just a few retirements away from being relegated. Only the big 3 are safe.