Dodgy cricket schedule, more headaches for players

They were in South Africa from December to March. That doesn’t include time they weren’t in South Africa travelling on boats. Brown and Fingleton were on that tour so you wouldn’t have seen them play shield cricket that season What I’m saying about the 30’s was there was no international cricket in Australia. I don’t want to go back too that. I want to see England, South Africa and India each tour Australia every 4 years.

Shield game start during the week because now days the states have to paly each other twice in the Ford Ranger cup. The ford ranger is televised, so that would have a bearing on scheduling.

Sorry Brett,Freud..in my opinion this only dilutes the credibility of the World Cup and leads to more meaningless games. At least the ODI's aginst England and India had the meaning in the sold out signs and viewer interest...the meaningless comes in when two unequal teams play.Leave the North /South league to the minnows and the Associates.

Freud, this is really good, could easily work. There's a good article in that for you. And stick with FoF Cup for now, you've earned it!! Ball: I'd just go back to using one at each end, 25 overs max. each....

A North vs. South type idea would be quite appealing for mine. We have all complained about the amount of nothing fixtures and how a 7-game series is ridiculous but I think we all agree that the market is open to it at the moment and as such the administrators will continue to cash in while they can, cricket has never been so healthy and it would be stupid and irresponsible for the overlords to not make hay now that the sun is shining. So I am picturing one of two solutions for the future of ODI's: The first: 2 Leagues (ala the MLB) playing off for the "FoF Cup" - yes, humbly named after yours truly but take your pick of legends who have retired and deserve to have a trophy named after them. Southern Hemisphere League (Aus, NZ, SAF, Zimb, 5th team, 6th team) - 5th & 6th teams to be decided via playoff between associate nations such as Kenya and Namibia but it could also involve the likes of Argentina or somehow we could twist an arm and get an Australia A side in there, we all know they'd wipe the floor with many countries. Northern Hemisphere League (Eng, Ind, Pak, WI, Sri Lanka, 6th team) - Obviously more cricketing countries in the North, means only one play-off place but this could all be worked out via a points system for automatic qualification for the bigger nations and the others play off. The Second: Teams are ranked and get pooled into two groups, again 6 teams in each pool as proposed in the first idea only this way teams would be playing against different opposition in every tournament and not based on geography which is probably fairer but logistically, more difficult and the first proposal would contain more rivalry matches which are better for the game. The way it works: Format should be something like the WC qualification in European football but not played in the summer, the summer (both Southern and Northern) should be reserved for "regular cricket", this is more a filler competition for Autumn and Spring but one, that with a proper structure will bring in a lot more sponsorship and be a lot more meaningful to both the players and the fans than the current one-off series'. 1)Each team plays every other team in their league three times at home, three times away = 30 games per country for the qualifying stages. 2)Each one of these "mini-series" is to be played like a "matchday" so Australia vs. NZ is 3 games, on Australian soil in a 7-10 day period while at the same time SAF is playing Zimb, 3 games during the same period on different days to capitalise on broadcasting and the same for 5th & 6th teams. 3)League One (whether that is the Southern Hemisphere League or simply Group A) plays their "matchday" period and the next week is for the League Two, this would obviously provide plenty of opportunities for TV coverage as only one match on any given day will keep up the numbers. 4)The League One sides then travel during the League Two matchday period and play their next matchday directly after the League Two period concludes, this should allow teams about 2 weeks in between which is more than they are currently offered on many occasions. 5) 3 Matchdays before the summer and 3 to windup the first season, 4 to start the second season with the semi's and finals played at the end of the second season means the tournament would be run over 2 years (same length as European WC qualifying) before starting all over again. 6) Best two teams from each league play-off in a 3-game series as semi-finalists, the winners enter a final and play a 5-game series. 7) The final is played on neutral grounds and is decided like the WC so every team gets a chance to cash in. Rules would be current 50 over format but no wash-outs, they must be replayed and just for the sake of it, something would be done about the ball.

we have to take whatever we can Vinay. I noted in the CricInfo something about an annual world ODI championship too - so perhaps we might even see some meaning brought in on this front too.

Brett,I am thankful for small mercies.

All quite true Vinay, but at least we know they're talking about it in Dubai. Maybe Tim May or James Sutherland was checking out The Roar in the airport lounge...

Brett..I saw the comment from Lorgat,described by Gideon Haigh as quieter than a church mouse, but discounted it as a Claytons comment. The sticking point is the TV revenue...Botham called it greed,greed,greed...

Vinay, I saw this on CricInfo last night whilst trying to find a score in the (washed out) 31st and final ODI in India. Seems the Test Championship isn't as dead as we thought: ICC open to regular Test 'final' Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, has said it is open to an annual or biennial Test final to make the longer form of the game more exciting and attractive. Lorgat agreed that it was important, to arrest the general dwindling interest in Tests, to build context around the format and infuse meaning for every series. http://www.cricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/433913.html

Dave1...Those were the days of the "long boats" The sailing time to England or South Africa was months. In this day and age you can be in Los Angeles yesterday. So you dont have to worry about the National Team being away for the whole summer unless of course they happen to be on the Ocean Viking.

When Fingleton and Brown jostled for the opening spots (the 1930's) there were only 4 seasons of international cricket in Australia 1930-31 1931-32 1932-33 1936-37 In1935/36 Australia toured South Africa from December to March So, no I don’t want to return to the days when The national team was out of Australia the whole summer or weren’t playing International cricket at all.

Brett,if as you say it is generational then your generation is probably too easy to please or too accepting of a less than ideal situation. I find there is a hypocrisy in CA's attitude. It fought long and hard to have a Test Championship become a reality. It suddenly gave up because India did not want a pooled TV revenue. Who's running the game in Australia? Australia is a junior partner in the Champions League along with SAF. India holds 50%. It is too easy to take the money and run. I for one am not enthused with Gayle,Bravo Pollard and their ilk. They are cricketing "nobodies" in the context of a Greenidge,a Sobers or a Richards. Flintoff will have to get on the park first. The domestic game will be healthy when theres 5000 plus watching a Shield Game. The last one dayer at North Sydney had barely 3500 people. And it was a great day for watching. Why schedule a Shield Game starting on a Tuesday? Is the weekend a day of rest for State Cricketers? The last SCG game and the next also start on a Tuesday. That is a death wish.

You are right. With the amount of money the BCCI makes, If they spent it correctly the results would be amazing.

thanks mate, and you're right, there certainly is no simple solution to a very messy problem. The points you've just expressed would mirror the majority of cricket followers the world over. In the end, unless we happen to snare a Roarer inside the ICC castle, we just have to keep discussing these issues at length...

Yes, in my medical opinion if a bloke bowls 16.3 in the champions league, he is a not suffering from too much cricket If you think there are injuries caused by too much cricket he is a poor example to use.

Mate, another quality article that has promoted plenty of thoughtful discussion on one of my favorite topics! Lets just call the ICC what it really is; the slightly unsuccessful international business arm of the BCCI. As Vinay rightly pointed out, this is not going to change as long as they are creating some 70% of world wide cricket revenue. To be slightly controversial and a little off track, I maintain that the reason we no longer see Andrew Symonds playing international cricket is a direct result of the BCCI's disturbing amount of power, specifically as displayed when he had his 'disagreement' with harby. The ICC needs overhalling. No argument. As to cricket schedules... I was and am sympathetic to a point. Whilst there can be no doubt scehduling is revenue based for the country's involved and broadcaster, revenue is also a motivator for the players, evidenced by the cash grab our 'worn and weary' players make when they go to India (or South Africa) to play twenty20 when they do have a 'break in scheduling'. So, that is the point where my sympathies end. I know it is easier to criticise than to offer solutions, but a realistic solution for these topics is very difficult, but again well done for promoting further discussion!

Freud, some quick thoughts on your points, which are great on the whole.. A: Domestically, CA and Fox Sports have only just renewed their agreement at the start of this season. So as good as your idea is, it’s probably not a commercial reality. That said, and I’ve mentioned this in the past, CA and the FFA both have a massive opportunity to capture the Friday night FTA timeslots vacant over spring and summer after the footy seasons conclude. The sooner this slot contains a live domestic T20 or A-League game, the better. And whoever wins the race will ensure a ratings winner, and increased revenues to boot. As both CA and FFA are tied to pay TV though, it’s not as simple as it sounds. But how good would that be?!? B: If you look at the Shield teams now, most have several guys in that U23 bracket anyway. Also, with the old CA Cup (2nd XIs) converting to the Futures League for U23s (+ 3 overage), we will over time see an organic decrease in the average age of State squads anyway. As these U23 players graduate into the Shield side over time, the fringe players in their late 20s or early 30s will make way. Ultimately, this will filter to the Australian side too, although just this year we’ve already seen Tim Paine, Phillip Hughes, Moises Henrigues – all under 23 – in Australian colours. C: As I said below to Vinay, the SPL T20 is still a plan with franchise teams, but the IPL and CLT20 might also be the extent of these types of competitions. In the meantime, if it doesn’t get up, we’ll see more marquee players in the Big Bash, and I think that’s a good thing. If the ECB’s move to 40 over one-dayers works, that could materialise down here too. D: I think this has always been the case anyway. The current Powerplay system derived from a similar system used in DLO games here, which in turn derived from a second fielding restriction in the 16-30 over bracket. Kookaburra has led the way in ball research over the years, and will continue to do so. By the way (and Ben Conkey pointed this out in a piece I wrote back a while about the ECB move), 40 over one-dayers would eliminate the need to change the ball at 34. Or they could just use two balls like used to domestically at one stage.. I’m with you though, working for CA would be great. When you get the gig, I’ll be your No.2!! And speaking of addresses, while I completely made up “PO Box 1, Dubai” as the ICCs address in the column, my curiosity made me look up the actual address: International Cricket Council PO Box 500 070 Dubai, UAE. So close!!

But Vinay, honestly, what more can be done? You say yourself that CA is well across the grassroots development, and there is a clearly defined pathway for cricketers to succeed. The Sheffield Shield has exactly the same context now as it did when Chappell, Benaud, Bradman and Trumper played: it is the premier domestic competition in the country – arguably the toughest First Class competition in the world – and it achieves its sole purpose every year by developing future Test cricketers. I say this not to “hail fellow well met cosy up over a cuppa”, but as reality. Australian cricket has never been stronger than it is currently. Such is the over-performance, CA will pay hefty bonuses from additional revenue to players from the last three years. That means the likes of McGrath and Warne are still benefitting now. State players are better paid than ever because of the agreement between the ACA and CA. The only thing that is missing from Shield cricket is spectators, but even they can’t be forced to attend!! This is why I say I think CA are doing everything they can for the game domestically. The Sheffield Shield will never be the focus of the summer, the Australian team will always have that mantle. And India aren’t running Australian cricket anyway. Yes they have a big say on the game internationally, but what agenda are they forcing on the local front?? CA would love to establish a franchised Super 14-style T20 Southern Premier League with South Africa and New Zealand, but in the meantime, they’ve allowed states to sign marquee players. And look who we’ll see this summer in state shirts: Gayle, Bravo, Pollard, Afridi. Symonds will no doubt play for Qld, and perhaps we might see Flintoff too. This is great for the local game. Perhaps it’s because of our differing generations that I can accept these things easier, I don’t know, but I do think there’s little point wishing for a return to the glory days, because in this instance, it just won’t happen. The domestic game is quite healthy. It’s the international game where you need more done. And urgently.

Brett...CA are trying to get it right and their intentions are good but tthey have not got it right. They have to stop other countries ,like India,running their cricket and forcing agendas. Forget about this hail fellow well met cosying up over a cuppa. The integrity of Australian Cricket is being compromised and while it may help Australia in the short term there is no guarantee this will be beneficial in the long run. The world is littered with Stanfords and Lehman Bros. CA,of all the Boards is concientious of the grassroots and there is a defined pathway. However the Shield needs to have a context and the focal point has to be the availability of players. The States in Australia are largely run by ex cricketers of standing and the recent appointment of John Dyson by Cricket NSW must be applauded. But I still want more to be done to make the Shield the focus of our summer.