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RE: ICC/MCC News Thread - pj57 - 08-20-2016

This took a while to happen but better late than never.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1048339.html

The upcoming ODI series between England and Pakistan will be used as a trial to see whether front foot no-balls can be effectively determined by the TV umpire and conveyed to the on-field official.

To assist the TV umpire, the ICC said that footage from the four side-on cameras for run-outs will be made available on a split-screen feed, along with slow-motion replays and a rewind-forward option. To receive communication from the TV umpire, the on-field official will wear a "pager watch," which will vibrate when a no-ball is called. If the watch fails to deliver the intended message, the umpires will use regular verbal communication.

The only instance when on-field umpires can use their discretion to call a no-ball during the series is if the side-on cameras are unavailable.

"This trial is being carried out to ascertain if there is a way in which front foot no-balls can be called more accurately and consistently, while also assessing the TV umpire's workload and identifying the impact it will have on the flow of the game," Adrian Griffith, ICC's senior manager - umpires and referees, said. "While we need to find out if the technology set-up for this purpose is fit, at the same time we feel this is the right time to conduct the trial as the TV umpires will have more information than ever before to share with the on-field umpires, which, in turn, will help them in correct decision-making."

Griffith said that there will be training sessions conducted for the umpires before the series. "To ensure that the match officials are thoroughly briefed and trained for this trial, the ICC will conduct training sessions with the umpires and match referee in Southampton on Monday and Tuesday. The results of this technology trial will be shared with the ICC Cricket Committee, which will advise the ICC on future action."


RE: ICC/MCC News Thread - mugatiya - 08-21-2016

Wow, cricket, welcome to this century.


RE: ICC/MCC News Thread - Bada - 09-05-2016

International cricket's future hangs in the balance this week. As a select group of senior administrators meet in Dubai to finalise a proposed model for radical changes to the game's schedule, the players have warned of a massed exodus to Twenty20 leagues if nothing is done.

An ICC working group of board chief executives, including the Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland, the ECB's Tom Harrison, the BCCI's Ajay Shirke, the PCB's Subhan Ahmed, South Africa's Haroon Lorgat and New Zealand's David White are working with ICC management to finalise proposals for a new international structure.

The model will feature leagues for all formats of the international game with greater equity in terms of fixtures for all nations, with the aim of pooling television rights so that richer boards can subsidise weaker counterparts. The pathway for admission to the top of the international game will also be opened up, an attractive prospect for Associates like Ireland and Afghanistan.

However, opposition to the prospect of two-tier Test cricket, championed by the Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala and latterly the BCCI president Anurag Thakur, now poses a significant danger to the adoption of the proposed changes. The BCCI has shown increasing belligerence over the past week, questioning funding levels for next year's Champions Trophy in England and suggesting the ICC president Shashank Manohar is not serving India's interests.

ESPNcricinfo also understands that the BCCI have made known their opposition to the possibility of pooled television rights money. The BCCI has previously been able to control the ICC board table via the threat - either perceived or overt - of withdrawing its lucrative tours of other nations.

On Monday, the players' global body FICA stepped into this febrile environment, revealing that 72% of players quizzed for the body's annual survey are in favour of "the introduction of a divisional Test competition to add more meaning to each match". The FICA executive chairman Tony Irish urged the ICC Board to carefully consider the new model under consideration.

"To date, the issue that has been talked about most is Test cricket," Irish said, "but we believe that this review is about creating clear visions for all three formats of international cricket, and balancing them alongside the continued expansion and success of the various domestic T20 cricket leagues. We know from our player surveys, and our engagement with players, that they are facing a conflict between international cricket and domestic T20 cricket leagues.

"This is a fundamental issue that we want any future structure of the game to address. Our concern is that if nothing is done, international cricket may very soon lose more and more of its best players to free agency and the T20 leagues.

"This re-structuring of international cricket should be about providing a better sporting product for fans, players and broadcasters. ICC management has done some excellent work on this, and we strongly encourage Member Boards to look beyond their own individual country interests in taking this forward. We understand that not everyone is in agreement over the divisional Test structure currently proposed, but this should not derail the entire process."

Irish's views were echoed by a selection of international players, including Australia's captain Steven Smith and South Africa's leader AB de Villiers. "We want our best players to be on the park as much as possible playing for our countries," Smith said, "and at the moment that isn't always happening."

Among other survey results, FICA found that "52% of all international respondents in the current structure still indicated that they would consider rejecting a national contract in favour of free agency in domestic T20 leagues.

"70% of all respondents think there should be "ring fenced" windows in the calendar for certain domestic T20 events to prevent clashes with international cricket.

"75% of all respondents think that closing the wage gap between domestic T20 and international cricket would help to retain players in international cricket."

Discussions in Dubai this week are a precursor to the next round of official ICC meetings set down for October, after which the structural future of the game will become clear.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1054601.html


RE: ICC/MCC News Thread - Perthman - 09-07-2016



Two-tier proposal shelved at ICC meeting


http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1055073.html?CMP=chrome

The proposal for a two-tier structure in Test cricket has been withdrawn by the ICC at the meeting of its chief executives committee in Dubai on Wednesday despite six Full Members reportedly being in favour of it. There was no vote at the meeting but the consensus was to take the proposal "off the table" for the moment.

"There was a significant compromise and it was subsequently decided to withdraw the two-tier proposal," a chief executive who attended the meeting told ESPNcricinfo. He said the BCCI, Sri Lanka Cricket, the BCB and Zimbabwe Cricket had opposed the proposal, which had found support from the boards of Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and West Indies.


ESPNcricinfo also confirmed with a second Full Member that the proposal was off for now..

According to the proposal, the two-tier system would comprise seven teams in the top tier and five in the bottom, with promotion and relegation between the two based on performance. To begin, Afghanistan and Ireland, as the leading Associate teams, would join the three lowest-ranked Test playing nations in the bottom tier, with other Associates having a chance at promotion based on performance.

On Monday, the players' global body FICA had revealed that 72% of players quizzed for the body's annual survey were in favour of "the introduction of a divisional Test competition to add more meaning to each match". The FICA executive chairman Tony Irish had urged the ICC Board to carefully consider the new model under consideration.

More to follow ...


RE: ICC/MCC News Thread - Perthman - 09-07-2016

I think this is a good idea. I don't like this two tier Idea for Test cricket. Countries have to work so hard to get the Test status. After getting that why devalue it by having two tiers? the biggest flaw in that idea for me is what happens in a hypothetical situation if India , Aus or even England gets relegated to Tier 2? How will Cricket financially survive if for example India will only play Ireland, Afghanistan etc for few years?


RE: ICC/MCC News Thread - pj57 - 09-07-2016

Great news......hope they come up with a more realistic workable solution.


RE: ICC/MCC News Thread - Bada - 09-08-2016

While expressing differing views on the ICC's decision to withdraw the proposal for two-tier Test cricket, Full Member boards welcomed the discussions opened up at Wednesday's chief executives' meeting on ways to sustain the longest format of the game. Thilanga Sumathipala, the SLC president, called for boards to market Test cricket more vigorously, and suggested four-day Tests as a step towards increasing the excitement around the format.

"[Withdrawing the two-tier proposal is] a very wise decision as far as SLC is concerned," Sumathipala said. "It's going to give us more time to revisit and to see how, while we are maintaining our top 10 Test-playing nations, we could allow emerging Test-playing nations to join, while making sure that the tournament effect is taking place. We're going forward together in this. I'm happy with the new line of thinking, and I'm happy we are not pursuing the seven-five two-tier system."

Explaining SLC's opposition to the two-tier system, Sumathipala spoke of how hard Sri Lanka had fought to achieve Test status.

"Test status was a hard-earned status for us," he said. "We were ICC champions in 1979. We've played more than 100 years of cricket - Test status didn't come to any of us overnight. We gained it through sheer hard work. The game has a challenge to face, but we should look at the economic and commercial side of things."

Sumathipala emphasised the need to engage and entertain fans, and suggested that four-day Tests were a better idea to enhance the appeal and commercial viability of the longest format.

"Our thinking is that we need more effort to sustain Test cricket in the decades to come," he said. "We have to invest into the game. We have to bring some fan-engagement programmes where we can keep interest going. Sustainability is in the hands of the fans. They need to have entertainment in following the game.

"The floodlit, pink-ball Tests have been somewhat successful. We can improve from there. We can play four-day cricket, starting on Thursday, which allows the games to come to a climax over the weekend, when people can watch. Then after three days' travel and rest, the players can start the next Test on a Thursday as well. They can play 95 or 100-over days. There'll be more excitement. There will be interest and commercial viability. That's what we believe."

The BCCI has consistently opposed the two-tier proposal, and its president Anurag Thakur reiterated his view that splitting the game into two divisions would hurt smaller boards.

"I am thankful to the members of the ICC who understood our viewpoint and agreed to take this proposal off the table," Thakur told PTI. "As one of the key stakeholders in world cricket, BCCI would continue to have an inclusive approach and ensure that everyone's interests and the growth of cricket isn't compromised.

"We want to grow the game and take it to new pastures and will not allow any step which can shrink the popularity and development of the game."

James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, had urged boards to look at the "big picture" of the two-tier proposal, and see it as a means to bring more structure and context to Test cricket. While the proposal was shelved, Sutherland was confident the discussions initiated at the meeting would pave way for an "improved model" for bilateral cricket.

"Cricket Australia welcomes the progress made in discussions with other member countries in Dubai this week," he said. "The workshop provided a forum for all views to be heard and discussed - and for members to work together to build an improved model for bilateral cricket played between nations. More important than anything, we are confident that the additional structure and context proposed for each of the three formats will significantly enhance cricket's offering to fans across the globe.

"Our thoughts on the need for change are well known and we are optimistic that all member countries are open to meaningful improvements that will support an even more successful and sustainable future for international cricket."

Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the BCB chief executive, has been one of the primary opponents of the two-tier system. He thanked the ICC for taking it off the table.

"We are delighted we could convince other members of the negative impact it would have on Bangladesh cricket," Chowdhury said. "I thank them for understanding our situation. I also want to thank the ICC management for organising this workshop. The two-tier system is off the table, and we will now discuss the future structure of cricket in the coming days."

ESPNcricinfo understands, meanwhile, that the PCB had been in support of the two-tier proposal, in a bid to add context to their bilateral agreements with various countries. The board also believed the system would have given Pakistan increased opportunities to play competitive series against strong teams, and that this would have heightened interest in Test cricket back home. With bilateral series against certain teams not attracting lucrative broadcast deals, the PCB had hoped a two-tier system would have helped raise the commercial profile of Test cricket.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1055109.html


RE: ICC/MCC News Thread - Bada - 09-08-2016

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said that a system of promotion and relegation is more important for one-day cricket than for Test cricket, given the former's lack of context

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/video_audio/1054859.html


RE: ICC/MCC News Thread - The One - 09-08-2016

I think two tier system is a good idea.


RE: ICC/MCC News Thread - Bada - 09-09-2016

A Test Championship playoff along with ODI and Twenty20 league structures may be adopted by member countries at the next ICC Board meeting in October, after the two-tier Test system was abandoned this week.

Alternate plans to keep afloat bilateral cricket were the main focus for the chief executives of member countries, who met in Dubai earlier this week for a two-day workshop where support for the two-tier model collapsed under BCCI pressure.

According to Haroon Lorgat, CEO of Cricket South Africa and former ICC CEO, all boards are trying to develop context for international cricket, with the best solution being a Test Championship. "That was the belief of many bearing in mind that everyone supports the primacy of international cricket," Lorgat told ESPNcricinfo.

Lorgat said discussions will continue with the next round of ICC meetings when the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) and the Board would formally meet in Cape Town in the second week of October. "What is clear is that a few members do not support the two-tier system, so we will need to find another way to develop a Test champion using the existing rankings table."

Lorgat also said it was the members, and not the ICC, that had taken responsibility to ensure bilateral cricket was in good health. "Media have got it wrong. Bilateral cricket is not the responsibility of the ICC. They are facilitating a process to assist the member countries to sustain fan interest by developing context."

During his ICC tenure, Lorgat was a firm supporter of a World Test Championship to create context, and he believes it is needed to ensure that fans' interest in bilateral cricket is sustained. "The best we might be able to do now is to build a championship model using the existing Test-rankings table to play a final between the top two teams, say every two years. Although not a perfect outcome, it could find support among all members. Doing nothing is not an option."

A longer cycle, in which all teams played each other over four years, has been deemed too hard to follow. "Overall it is now a pretty compelling model for all countries. There is very strong alignment on the structure and context for the three formats, and the need for change and improvement," a representative from an influential board said.

For the two-tier model to be implemented, it was necessary that at least seven out of the 10 members back the proposal. Despite six member boards (Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and West Indies) being in its favour, the two-tier model was shelved. Although no formal voting process took place, four members - India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe - were against it.

"You need seven to support any change, to make it more sensible," a CEO who was present at the Dubai workshop, said. "You don't have India. You don't have Bangladesh. You don't have Sri Lanka. That is three strong playing cricket countries. Zimbabwe was fourth. West Indies in principle were supportive of it. So two-tier won't work."

But it is difficult to understand why the smaller countries would not support the two-tier structure considering it would allow them guaranteed matches and more exposure. In the end, emotion, history and culture, and the status hit that comes with losing a position in the top tier, rather than logic, were the reasons behind the proposed two-tier concept in Test cricket failing to take off, a CEO said. "Some of the countries who don't want to end up in the second division, if that is how they see it, they don't support it. It is very simple: it is because of the stature of not being in the top tier [of seven nations]. It is the fear of being in the second division [bottom five]. That is all it is about.

"Even if you are not guaranteed fixtures in the current system, they are happy to be in one division. So they rather not play cricket than being in a two-tier structure where you will be guaranteed cricket. There is no logic in that. In this compromised version that seems to be finding favour, all the 10 members will be in one division."

ESPNcricinfo understands Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in particular declined the chance of playing more Test cricket in order to avoid being tarred with second-division status. A representative present in Dubai during the workshop pointed out that not even "a bucket of money" could divert the stance of the smaller countries as they remained against the two-tier model.

According to Lorgat, the boards in favour of the two-tier structure tried to impress the advantage of such a model. "We tried to motivate why a two-tier league would be the best way to sustain and generate fan interest. It did not find favour with some members."

But Lorgat pointed out all 10 members are working hard to find a road map that would benefit bilateral cricket for every board. "It is not about who supports or who doesn't. Everybody accepts that bilateral cricket needs attention. Some do not support a two-tier Test Championship that would allow for promotion and relegation and also include Associates members. But if that doesn't find favour, then we need to find another model that works."

One possible positive to emerge out of the two-tier fallout, another CEO said, could be the weaker countries could once again partake off the financial gains which would have been channelled mainly to the Big Three. "It is very encouraging to hear the BCCI talking about supporting the smaller members. If a two-tier system affects smaller countries and the BCCI does not want this, then it is a signal that the funding that was channelled to the Big Three at the expense of the smaller countries would also come back."

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1055647.html