Test cricket in serious danger

What is so worrying about BCCI's clout?

While there is no denying that the BCCI clout is a concern the English are being a bit hypocriticial here. The point is they only invited Sri Lanka because Zimbabwe who were supposed to tour in the first place can't because of political reasons and so they themselves had to fill something in to ensure they dont lose money.

So essentially what they are doing is the following they are telling Sri Lanka – we are in need of someone to fill up so to hell with your prior commitments, you have to find time to make sure the tour goes ahead. All this time criticizing BCCI's greed while at the same point is bottomline is they are bothered about their own money.

If the priority is the sanctity of test cricket then Sri Lanka will eventually tour when they were originally scheduled anyway. Whose fault is it that Zimbabwe isnt coming ? Why force Sri Lanka to step in ? Why not just have the early part of the season with no tests ?

The BCCI's clout is worrisome because the BCCI puts its own financial interests above the interests of the sport and above basic fairness. A few years ago, the BCCI played the key role in killing a new cricket league in the U.S. by forbidding the Indian players who had signed up for it to play. Now they've done everything in their power to destroy the ICL by turning its players into pariahs, and they have the power to get other countries'cricket boards to play along, too. The ECB has had to stand by while Kent was denied the spot it earned in the Champions League. And Bangladesh has banned 13 players for 10 years (which is basically for life in a sports career). What was their crime? Playing cricket, in India… for the wrong league. If they had jut been caught using steroids they'd probably still be playing. Not only is this bad for the sport internationally, but it's bad for Indian domestic cricket fans, who will have fewer choices (and probably higher ticket prices) when the ICL inevitably folds under the pressure.

The situation with the Sri Lanka test series is noteworthy, but for the moment it remains exceptional. This problem has as much to do with the political mess in Zimbabwe as it does with the BCCI, and I think test cricket will endure. It is disappointing, though, that what would have been a really interesting test series will be turned into a simple warm-up for the Ashes because the grass is greener elsewhere. Apparently the ODI series is unscathed, though, so I have high hopes of getting to see Murali and Mendis in action.

well as you sow so shall you reep. well this is the problem of english cricket had they accepted bcci`s first invitation to take part in ipl this situation wouldnt have arrived. the ecb did the worst thing of not encouraging its player to participate in the ipl

No doubt the landscape is shifting, however, T20 is entirely the appropriate format to introduce other nations into the top flight.

And I believe it will lead eventually to them playing the longer formats with relish. Ireland v Kenya at Nairobi this week is a good example of players that are striving to excel in the red ball game.

The skills required for T20 can only be developed by longer versions of the game. That should be obvious. If the foundations crumble so will everything else.

Four overs a match is not enough time for a young bowler to learn his trade nor is T20 dynamic enough for the batters to develop either.

As a cricketer, I admit that T20 is fun but for a real battle of wits and skill you need more time.

Every sportsman worth his salt wants a challenge, not only against the opposition, but also against himself.

The riches inherent in the shorter format will guarantee that there are enough resources to keep the traditional formats healthy.

It's a win/win situation for the international game but I agree that some countries First Class structures will need to adapt.