ICC plan two Test divisions ... again

[foreignfield]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/cont ... 22445.html

I'm not sure there's anything new or substantial in there, but I guess it's fair to say that the likelihood of us playing Tests against Afghanistan or Ireland is higher than ever playing Australia or England again.

"Countries that you never thought would have ambitions to play multi-day cricket actually have got the potential. Countries like Nepal, Afghanistan and Ireland are keen. But Ireland and Nepal aren't getting any opportunities. Zimbabwe hardly play. West Indies are focusing more on T20 cricket. Creating a competition and a financial model that underpins it, it will allow them the resources to fund a team and provide incentives for their players to be available to play Test cricket for them."

Richardson also suggested that membership rules could be changed, to decouple Test status and Full Membership.

"We're reviewing the criteria for Full Membership, which will enable countries like Ireland and Afghanistan to become Full Members. But we don't want to link it to Test cricket. The competition structure is set separate to membership status. It's about voting or funding opportunities."

I know this is directed at new full members, but if you turn it around, wouldn't it give ZC an excuse to stop playing Test altogether. Grab the funding and let Test cricket in Zim go to the dogs. I suppose the ideal scenario for ZC would beto retain full member staus and funding, and not play any cricket at all



** On a lighter note, I've just realised that with David Richardson as CEO of the ICC, Germany might get a shot at Test cricket: I believe his son, Michael, the Durham wicketkeeper, is playing County on a German passport, courtesy of his half-German mother ... "Now, son, I got you a nice birthday present. I know you've never visited the fatherland, but next summer you'll skipper Germany in their inaugural Test match against the MCC (the Macedonian Cricket Club). We'll find you a few Saffer pals with Teutonic roots to accompany you, but be wary of those Afghan demon bowlers the Macedonians have picked up on the Greek border lately." Wondrous possibilites

[aydee]

You say "again", but this appears to be a much more thorough proposal, that is a lot closer to being realised than ever before.

As far as I can see, this would be good news for Zim. They would obviously be in Div 2, but they would be forced to play a minimum of 2 series per year. A likely div of West Indies, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan would be competitive and fascinating.

[foreignfield]

Well, it seems we are inching closer to its eventual realisation ... I just feel numb because everything has been discussed ad nauseam over the last few years. Apart from that there's some contradiction in the statement that they want a) countries like Afghanistan and Ireland to play Test cricket, and b) pave them a way towards full member status without playing Test cricket.

There was also something else at the bottom of the article which might have implications for Zim:

It also emerged that England, the hosts of the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 World Cup, retain hopes of hosting a possible World T20 in 2022, and the World Cup qualifiers in 2018. Those qualifiers are currently scheduled to be played in Bangladesh but if Bangladesh qualify automatically - they are currently ranked seventh and on target to do so - it is likely the qualifiers would be moved to the country where the main tournament will be played the following year.

If the World Cup qualifiers are really held in England, I don't see a way how Zim could not be a part of it. Maybe the ECB believes that the biological clock across from HSC will have run down by then.

[eugene]

ZC will withdraw from the World Cup qualifiers in exchange for a cash payment from the ECB. The two division test structure will be ditched when India, England, or Australia are facing relegation.

[Kriterion_BD]

ZC will withdraw from the World Cup qualifiers in exchange for a cash payment from the ECB. The two division test structure will be ditched when India, England, or Australia are facing relegation.

Dont think it will go through in this particular format. India refuses to play Pak...so that automatically cheapens this 7 team top division. Furthermore, Sr Lanka clearly arent good enough to in their, so that leaves 6 decent teams. If SA goes the way of Zimbabwe they will become crap...they are already #6. By 2019 I expect BD to be better than both WI and SL, who are in division 1.

Remember ICC originally planned to strip BD and Zim of test status in 2014...now they have added WI. By 2019 they will have to strip SL as well.

[eugene]

South Africa are still strong and have far too much talent to go the way of Zimbabwe. We forget that Zimbabwe has never been strong, bar a few brief moments.

[ZIMDOGGY]

That's why it was incredibly moronic playing stupid quota games a decade ago.

[Kriterion_BD]

South Africa are still strong and have far too much talent to go the way of Zimbabwe. We forget that Zimbabwe has never been strong, bar a few brief moments.

Well they put in a shambolic performance at the U19 world cup, and supposedly that was due to quota selections. Not to mention CSA/gov appearz to be following the Zimbabwe model lock step. They may have more black participation than Zimbabwe, but SA doesn't need to fall that far from grace. They just have to be as bad as SL are now and the top 7 idea becomes as imbalanced as whatever exists now.

And we havent even factored in a Pakistani collapse which is 50-50 likely. If 3 of the top 7 (SL, PAK, SA) fall considerably boom there you go. NZ too are riding on a golden generation atm.

Teams only need to be as bad as current day WI or SL to make the top 7 idea idiotic. Of course Im appraching this thing from a Bangladeshi perspective.

[Jemisi]

I am for it, even ignoring what it means for Zim in Div 2, I think it would improve the context for Div 1 teams. A ladder will aid interest for a lot of games. I think Eugene is likely right about the dangers of the big 3 being relegated, but that may not happen for a few cycles. SA and SL would be in most danger at the moment.

[Kriterion_BD]

A ladder will not aid interest in any way whatsoever. As of the current standings WI and SL would be fighting for promotion, relegation. So what? No one cares, and no would care. The Big 3 will always be ranked in the top 4 because of their large player bases, talent pool, infrastructure, and financial standing. No one cares in WI replaces SL, or SL retains their position. It has no bearing on whoever is fighting for 12th place in the Intercontinental Cup or the top 5 teams vying for the #1 ranking. There isn't even a Test playoffs.

This is just a system to go back to 7 Test nations.