A Bloodless Coup

[silentstriker]

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/maga...ry/354405.html

It's a bit of an overreaction. I don't see how it can be a bad thing - the target audience for the two formats are completely different. The only problem I have with Stanford's proposal is that its not longer (e.g, not a tournament), but I don't think getting someone injecting money into the game is bad.

Although this is quite dire:

In fact, there is a fine line between a kiss of life and a smothering, because the greatest fear about the day's events was the one that Stanford singularly failed to allay. When asked his opinion of Test cricket, he responded baldly: "I find it boring, but I'm not a purist." Then, in a sweeping metaphor about the architecture at Lord's, he went on to liken the "1700s" pavilion to the Test game, and the "Eye in the Sky" media centre to Twenty20s. "Test cricket is the foundation, that's where cricket came from. Twenty20 is the future, that's where the money is."

But really, I bet a bunch of IPL owners feel the same way, so I don't think its much of an issue.

How awesome would it be if the international calender only consisted of Test cricket and all these hit and giggle stuff would be done via clubs and tournaments like these?

[silentstriker]

Plus, the IPL needs some real competition and this, I hope, becomes such a competition eventually. English, Australian and Indian cricketers are fine, but other countries cricketers don't make anything, and maybe the quadrangular tournament by Stanford, or the IPL will allow them to secure their future.

[Langeveldt]

Originally Posted by silentstriker

How awesome would it be if the international calender only consisted of Test cricket and all these hit and giggle stuff would be done via clubs and tournaments like these?

Would be an acceptable comprimise.. But where would the players come from? The line they trot out at the moment in England (and SA) is that the provincial clubs are feeders for the test teams..

[Richard]

England, SA and everywhere else. Obviously, if Twenty20 were completely confined to domestic cricket it's be overwhelmingly preferable, but that'd require the domestic-First-Class game to be maintained alongside domestic-Twenty20. Else there'd be no Test cricket.

[silentstriker]

Originally Posted by Langeveldt

Would be an acceptable comprimise.. But where would the players come from?

FC cricket of course. It would be the height of ridiculousness if the FC system in the various countries is ever dismantled.

[silentstriker]

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/aust...ry/354575.html

Gilly compares IPL to olympics in terms of atmosphere, and Ponting and Hussey are worried about the priority of Test cricket.

[duffer]

Originally Posted by silentstriker

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/aust...ry/354575.html

Gilly compares IPL to olympics in terms of atmosphere, and Ponting and Hussey are worried about the priority of Test cricket.

It's a pretty good comparison by Gilly. I happened to be in both countries for both events and the feelings were comparable. Although I'm interested to see if the excitement level is the same next year. Knowing Indians though, having proper cricket on every night prime time won't be frowned on by too many people I imagine.

[Langeveldt]

Originally Posted by silentstriker

FC cricket of course. It would be the height of ridiculousness if the FC system in the various countries is ever dismantled.

Just you wait..

[silentstriker]

Originally Posted by Langeveldt

Just you wait..

Very few things would put me off cricket forever, but that might just be one of them.