The International Cricket Thread

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah that’s the thing. This is why there needs to be a grown up conversation about the cricket landscape. The ICC should be doing all they can to protect Test cricket, but that means focussing on those nations that are struggling.

[paul_e]

Yeah that’s the thing. This is why there needs to be a grown up conversation about the cricket landscape. The ICC should be doing all they can to protect Test cricket, but that means focussing on those nations that are struggling.

The ICC isn't fit for purpose. Any sport where a nation can qualify for the world cup and then have to put out a message like this: https://twitter.com/KNCBInsider/status/1678223343693217793?s=20 - is in desperate need of a reorganisation.

[KNVillan]

Nice article in The Guardian about Chris Woakes

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jul/11/its-quite-emotional-chris-woakes-reaps-rewards-of-dedication-to-england

[edgysatsuma89]

Yeah that’s the thing. This is why there needs to be a grown up conversation about the cricket landscape. The ICC should be doing all they can to protect Test cricket, but that means focussing on those nations that are struggling.

The ICC isn't fit for purpose. Any sport where a nation can qualify for the world cup and then have to put out a message like this: https://twitter.com/KNCBInsider/status/1678223343693217793?s=20 - is in desperate need of a reorganisation.

I never realised it was that bad. That's a joke, he's basically begging.

[PaulWinch again]

Incredible effort from the women’s team again.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Yeah, looked like England were going to be all out, but snuck through with 2 to spare.

Cross should be opening that batting, with a display like that. 70 odd unbeaten for Knight.

[UK Redsox]

I tried to get freebie tickets through Sky.

When that didn't work, I held off buying because the forecast was shit.
By the time a better forecast arrived, the Bristol game was sold out.

[tomd2103]

Yeah that’s the thing. This is why there needs to be a grown up conversation about the cricket landscape. The ICC should be doing all they can to protect Test cricket, but that means focussing on those nations that are struggling.

The problem is Paul is that outside of a couple of countries, there doesn't seem to be much of an interest in test cricket.  Even in Australia, the drop off in crowds after day one of a lot of games is stark. 

That means that it actually costs countries to host test cricket in a lot of cases which obviously means they are going to be reluctant.  When you factor in that the riches of playing franchise cricket far outweigh those of test matches, then it means the former is more appealing to many players.  Play in an empty stadium for five days for a fraction of the money you can earn playing for 3 hours at at time.  Then there is also the physical toll test cricket takes on players, which isn't so much of an issue in T20.

With all that to consider I'm not really sure what the ICC can do  and whether the reality is that it's just trying to hold back the tide of T20 completely taking the game over. 

[Risso]

Weather's looking a bit shit next week, hope the Aussies don't win the Ashes by default.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah that’s the thing. This is why there needs to be a grown up conversation about the cricket landscape. The ICC should be doing all they can to protect Test cricket, but that means focussing on those nations that are struggling.

The problem is Paul is that outside of a couple of countries, there doesn't seem to be much of an interest in test cricket.  Even in Australia, the drop off in crowds after day one of a lot of games is stark. 

That means that it actually costs countries to host test cricket in a lot of cases which obviously means they are going to be reluctant.  When you factor in that the riches of playing franchise cricket far outweigh those of test matches, then it means the former is more appealing to many players.  Play in an empty stadium for five days for a fraction of the money you can earn playing for 3 hours at at time.  Then there is also the physical toll test cricket takes on players, which isn't so much of an issue in T20.

With all that to consider I'm not really sure what the ICC can do  and whether the reality is that it's just trying to hold back the tide of T20 completely taking the game over. 

Yes but the ICC are absolutely complicit in that loss of interest in Test cricket. England might be the exception in terms of interest, but as demonstrated by this series there is nothing more compelling in cricket than good Test cricket. It’s not going to be possible to change overnight but if you create financial support to strengthen development then the quality and competition goes up. Then you would see more interest, which then drives in more revenue.

The problem is the ICC have just let it drift.

[Drummond]

Weather's looking a bit shit next week, hope the Aussies don't win the Ashes by default.

Yep, it's looking that way.

I can see a scenario where England go for it, all smash bang wallop and Australia just do whatever they can to slow it down and stay in. Such an unsatisfactory way for it go finish.

[tomd2103]

Yeah that’s the thing. This is why there needs to be a grown up conversation about the cricket landscape. The ICC should be doing all they can to protect Test cricket, but that means focussing on those nations that are struggling.

The problem is Paul is that outside of a couple of countries, there doesn't seem to be much of an interest in test cricket.  Even in Australia, the drop off in crowds after day one of a lot of games is stark. 

That means that it actually costs countries to host test cricket in a lot of cases which obviously means they are going to be reluctant.  When you factor in that the riches of playing franchise cricket far outweigh those of test matches, then it means the former is more appealing to many players.  Play in an empty stadium for five days for a fraction of the money you can earn playing for 3 hours at at time.  Then there is also the physical toll test cricket takes on players, which isn't so much of an issue in T20.

With all that to consider I'm not really sure what the ICC can do  and whether the reality is that it's just trying to hold back the tide of T20 completely taking the game over. 

Yes but the ICC are absolutely complicit in that loss of interest in Test cricket. England might be the exception in terms of interest, but as demonstrated by this series there is nothing more compelling in cricket than good Test cricket. It’s not going to be possible to change overnight but if you create financial support to strengthen development then the quality and competition goes up. Then you would see more interest, which then drives in more revenue.

The problem is the ICC have just let it drift.

I agree with your thoughts on test cricket Paul, but do think even that might be a generational thing to be honest.  It would be interesting to see some data around which format young people prefer as that might be an indication of the future direction of travel.

Players being contracted to franchises will be the big challenge and could well be the beginning of the end of test cricket in some countries.

[edgysatsuma89]

I'm not particularly young (34) but I much prefer test cricket, there's no other game like it. Convincing a kid to watch 5 days though? Tough ask. I was 16 when I got in to cricket but that did coincide with 2005.

[paul_e]

I like all the formats and don't really see the need for so many people to play them off against each other.

[edgysatsuma89]

Oh yeah I think there is a place for them all, it would just be the one I'd keep in a weird hypothetical world.