Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

ICC Cricket Committee is debating getting rid of the toss in Tests in order to even up home advantage. I can see the need for something along those lines, but the toss is a part of the theatre of the game and it would be a shame to see it go.

could have the toss and then ignore it

although that sounds a bit like a purely ECB sort of rationale

Arthur Crabtree wrote:ICC Cricket Committee is debating getting rid of the toss in Tests in order to even up home advantage. I can see the need for something along those lines, but the toss is a part of the theatre of the game and it would be a shame to see it go.

This is something that I advocated for some years back, but I am less in favour of it nowadays.

Is there any other way to organise it other than:

1. visiting captain gets the choice first test, then it is alternated each test afterwards

2. Visiting captain gets the choice ALL tests.

I haven't thought of any other system that uses a method of choice. The second one won't be used, imo. The first one gives huge (bigger than currently) opportunity for doctored pitches in at least every even-numbered test.

Can't give the home captain the choice I don't think.

it would also be unfair to have the visiting captain having the choice each test

It's only as unfair as the home side getting a pitch which helps their players. Which is what happens.

The toss issue is a bit of a superficial response to the problem of one sided series I think. Local difference of conditions is a good thing and makes for the ultimate challenge for the away side, and a greater glory when the adversity is overcome. But teams need proper preparation for the contest, like they once had.

If that can't happen, maybe the next best option is for the away skipper to choose, to at least lessen the temptation of the hosts to exaggerate their home advantage by loading the pitch.

true

sad circumstances, but Flower has managed to find himself back in charge, albeit temporarily (or is it?)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/44207402

and a link at the bottom of the page tells me that "England can win the World Cup".

So can Australia. But they won't.

If we are talking cricket then we have a very good chance, our white ball cricket particuarly 50 overs has been fantastic since the last world cup!

Cricket's coming home.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Cricket's coming home.

Belgians claim to have invented it.

andy wrote:If we are talking cricket then we have a very good chance, our white ball cricket particuarly 50 overs has been fantastic since the last world cup!

no, I think they were on about football

ABDV has retired from all international cricket, citing tiredness.

No real suprise. Was always going to happen sooner rather than later... At 34 he will still be around for IPL etc, has said he won't move abroad I.E. Kolpak, and wants to remain playing for Titans, done a lot for South Africa and will be missed from their white ball sides, yes a hole in red ball cricket but they have done without him a lot recently, and Bavuma etc waiting in the wings, good decision from AB, not fair to pick and choose games, this is the best way forward for both parties