Test Cricket

[Noose]

Ireland and Afghanistan.... welcome to the club.

What does this do for the future of the game? Is a test championship a viable route now?

[DropTheHammer]

Good luck to them-the game needs to spread as far as countries will have it, as it's on the decline here. The ECB's short-sighted, money-grabbing decision to take it off Free to air TV a while ago has harmed uptake amongst youngsters massively.

Just have a look at most England test crowds and all you will see are white faces, most over the age of 25. How much does that represent the U.K. Now?

[Noose]

Good luck to them-the game needs to spread as far as countries will have it, as it's on the decline here. The ECB's short-sighted, money-grabbing decision to take it off Free to air TV a while ago has harmed uptake amongst youngsters massively.

Just have a look at most England test crowds and all you will see are white faces, most over the age of 25. How much does that represent the U.K. Now?

This...

Hopefully a test championship will contextualize international cricket now.

[PokerBroker]

Isn't it just a shit game?

I don't know anything about cricket but from a viewing perspective its like watching paint dry, give me the 20/20, IPL, Big Bash etc anyday of the week over a test match.  such a snooze fest.

[nellberg]

I think the Afghans can be fairly competitive, especially in spin-friendly conditions. Few more batsman to go with Rashid and Nabi with the ball could be interesting I think Ireland will struggle massively, this has come 5 years too late for them.

[Woodsey]

Isn't it just a shit game?

I don't know anything about cricket but from a viewing perspective its like watching paint dry, give me the 20/20, IPL, Big Bash etc anyday of the week over a test match.  such a snooze fest.

Struggling to think any sport is worse than Scottish football.....wankety wank wank springs to mind....

[muckthenuts]

I think the Afghans can be fairly competitive, especially in spin-friendly conditions. Few more batsman to go with Rashid and Nabi with the ball could be interesting I think Ireland will struggle massively, this has come 5 years too late for them.

But KP said test cricket will be extinct in 5 years...lol.  

Would love to see Morgan become the Irish skipper in all formats. I imagine there must be a few decent county players with Irish links who may choose to play for them now, especially as England's side and consistency in selection policy has become a tough one to crack. 15 years ago you wouldn't have blamed them for waiting for their opportunity on the selection merry go round.

[vegaslover]

Good luck to both Countries, game needs to grow worldwide.
Afghan will be good in future but Ireland seem to have gone backwards.
Haven't really looked at it yet but does this now exclude any Irishman in future playing for England?

Personally I love watching Test cricket and it's nuances, but that's probably 'cos that is what I grew up watching as a kid.

[Noose]

I think the Afghans can be fairly competitive, especially in spin-friendly conditions. Few more batsman to go with Rashid and Nabi with the ball could be interesting I think Ireland will struggle massively, this has come 5 years too late for them.

But KP said test cricket will be extinct in 5 years...lol.  

Would love to see Morgan become the Irish skipper in all formats. I imagine there must be a few decent county players with Irish links who may choose to play for them now, especially as England's side and consistency in selection policy has become a tough one to crack. 15 years ago you wouldn't have blamed them for waiting for their opportunity on the selection merry go round.

Doubt Morgan will give up the english ODI captaincy, especially considering the quality of the team he is leading and the potential it has to win a major tournament while he is in charge.

[kp24]

I think the Afghans can be fairly competitive, especially in spin-friendly conditions. Few more batsman to go with Rashid and Nabi with the ball could be interesting I think Ireland will struggle massively, this has come 5 years too late for them.

But KP said test cricket will be extinct in 5 years...lol.  

Would love to see Morgan become the Irish skipper in all formats. I imagine there must be a few decent county players with Irish links who may choose to play for them now, especially as England's side and consistency in selection policy has become a tough one to crack. 15 years ago you wouldn't have blamed them for waiting for their opportunity on the selection merry go round.

Doubt Morgan will give up the english ODI captaincy, especially considering the quality of the team he is leading and the potential it has to win a major tournament while he is in charge.

No chance of Morgan going back to play for Ireland,can't see these two sides getting much test cricket just like Zimbabwe don't now