The Beginning of the End

[jwb]

So no test cricket in August from 2020 to allow all the players to play in the franchise. This is not going to end well is it? They will reduce what's left to 4 days (which may be sensible given how few get to day five) with the counties ever more reliant on the franchise generating enough money to keep all of them afloat. It's hardly surprising we are seeing a drop off in quality in the longer game as it's now all about following the money in 20/20 which I understand from the players point of view but it's going to be a sad day and I fear it's coming sooner than I hoped.

[nat]

The ECB haven't got a scooby. Trying to cover all bases (Tests, T20, ODI) and will eventually fail at all of them. Test cricket is on death row soon to be followed by CC cricket.

[Andy]

I understand the concerns. Certainly I agree about the ECB.

However, I would argue that Test cricket has been over exposed for decades. Too many meaningless matches, too many weak nations, etc have tarnished it and meant that records become meaningless.

Perhaps a break is needed? Or a revaluation of the scope of the double innings game.

Don't forget the golden ages of test cricket had fewer teams and generally longer series spread over a longer time frame. Nowadays team A flies in from a 20/20 tournament, plays one or two warm ups then flies out again after completing 2-4 tests in a month. The home team beats the jet lagged opponents, or one team loses a key player to injury at the start of the series, but because the matches come in close succession that player isn't fit enough to return. 

To me, double innings cricket is the real 'test' of any team. Single innings relies too heavily upon formulaic strategies and is fixed to provide cheap thrills. But there's not the same interest or intensity about test series at the moment. Granted the win against the Saffers provided some interesting matches and entertainment, for England supporters at least, but it was rather predictable. Similarly the Ashes series have been rather too one sided. Something needs to be done.

[Valentines Park]

Test cricket is on death row soon to be followed by CC cricket.

I make it the other way round.

[mawallace]

Can you post the link to where this story came from. I thought the ecb said test would run at the same time as the franchise

[brazilianglen]

August Test matches under threat from new T20 competition

exclusive


Elizabeth Ammon
August 9 2017, 12:01am, The Times



[Pic caption - photo removed]
The England players will be allocated to one of the eight T20 teams


There may be very little Test cricket during August from 2020 so that England players can help to make the new eight-team T20 tournament a success. The ECB is aware that the best players need to be available for as much of the competition as possible to attract new audiences and fill stadiums.


The tournament will run from July 17 to August 23. When the draft schedule was circulated to county chiefs this year it was done so on the basis of seven Test matches a year and showed three Tests against Sri Lanka during that 38-day window. However, it is likely that particular series will contain only two Tests, which could be completed by August 4. If the one-day series were delayed until after August 25, England players could be available for at least half of the tournament, including the final.


As The Times revealed, the international summer schedule from 2020 will contain only six Test matches (and five in an Ashes year) as opposed to the current seven and it would, in theory, be possible to ensure that these were all played before the end of July or just into August. It would also ensure that all the large international grounds where the teams are likely to be based were available for most of the tournament.


All centrally-contracted England players will be allocated to one of the eight T20 teams via a draft separate to the main player draft.


The ECB’s major match group, headed by deputy chairman Ian Lovett, will decide over the winter on the allocations for Tests, ODIs and T20s for 2020 to 2024 as well as the locations of the teams in the new competition. The ECB will announce its decision next February. It will also review the schedule for 2019 to ensure England players have a chance to play red-ball cricket after the World Cup and before the Ashes.

[nat]

Hmm.... could be problematic on many fronts. James Anderson, if still playing, to play T20? I think not. Hameed to play T20?

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here. Maybe there won't be any Test cricket!

[Andy]

What's the problem? They're cutting down the numbers of tests in order to make sure the big names are available for the franchise, which is meant to be a big money spinner. Either the latter money deluge will occur, or it'll be a bit of a damp squib. Not in favour of the franchise idea (would prefer it to die a quick death) but losing the odd test or two isn't quite the end.

Just picking out Anderson and Hameed is rather disingenuous because most of the Test squad are capable of playing 20/20. Even Chef has had a go, after all he can lap everything over midwicket...

[bwildered]

That's what happens down under ( and has the ECB are incapable of making own decisions)  will happen here . Can anyone image the start of the franchise without England's premier players ?
Without inclusion the box office test cricketers are likely to franchise only earlier in their careers.
Wonder if the strike talks down under had something to do with confirmation of availability .

[Valentines Park]

most of the Test squad are capable of playing 20/20. Even Chef has had a go, after all he can lap everything over midwicket...

I recall him playing proper cricket shots when he played T20.

Mid-wicket hoiks aren't his style.

[nat]

...

Just picking out Anderson and Hameed is rather disingenuous because most of the Test squad are capable of playing 20/20. Even Chef has had a go, after all he can lap everything over midwicket...

I think you're missing my point. T20 and Test matches are (and should be) very different beasts. If you're suggesting an increased confluence of players then Test cricket is truly finished.

[Andy]

...

Just picking out Anderson and Hameed is rather disingenuous because most of the Test squad are capable of playing 20/20. Even Chef has had a go, after all he can lap everything over midwicket...

I think you're missing my point. T20 and Test matches are (and should be) very different beasts. If you're suggesting an increased confluence of players then Test cricket is truly finished.

But my point is that you there aren't that many test specialists, which is why it makes sense to filter back the test players into this competition - whether we agree with the idea of such a rival to the T20 Blast/County game as a whole is another matter...

[IlfordEagle]

If Test cricket is to continue then surely CC must also to give the players a chance to play long form cricket as a prelude to being picked for Tests, if you continually reduce /water down the CC then Test cricket will die a death.
Re Ally  - judging by how well he adapted to RL 50 over cricket this year he would have no trouble doing the same to T20 as he has the class & ability to do so.

[smandlej]

Presumably players won't have any choice about whether they are going to be 'put up for sale'?  If not, then we can see some players - those who don't need to play cricket as a living or have another career waiting for them anyway - deciding to retire early from the game, rather than be auctioned off like so many items on eBay (other auction sites available).

Lynda and Steve

[nat]

Presumably players won't have any choice about whether they are going to be 'put up for sale'?  If not, then we can see some players - those who don't need to play cricket as a living or have another career waiting for them anyway - deciding to retire early from the game, rather than be auctioned off like so many items on eBay (other auction sites available).

Lynda and Steve

I'd think that is unlikely. Money talks and there will be a lot of money available to players of the City bish bash.