Afghanistan to apply for full member status NY.

[indiaholic]

How many FC-standard grounds are there in Afghanistan?

Their domestic competition was played over four grounds.

Khost:

Kabul:

Nangarhar:

 

[Victor Ian]

With the taliban, they might be a good chance to get decent crowds.

sorry

 

[mackembhoy]

I don't really understand why this has to be an all or nothing issue - I'd like to see the Afghans get a couple of Tests straight away, as long as they're not in England in May. Perhaps one in the Caribbean in April and one in the UAE - that way we'll see how ready they are. The interesting thing about them is that unlike the other countries who've gained Test status in my lifetime they have some decent bowlers and look capable of taking 20 wickets.

The ICC could also help them by getting their players some exposure in other countries - Hampshire would be a lot less unpopular if they had two fewer kolpaks and were permitted to play Zadran and Nabi instead - would get a lot more bums on seats as well I reckon

How would replacing Kolpaks with more overseas player make them charlatans of the English game any more popular.

Hope they get relegated and stay there.

 

[mackembhoy]

Great news mind. The ICC's attitude to the associates is appalling, so hopefully Afghanistan and Ireland can gain full member status asap.

 

[S.Kennedy]

Hopefully there is some sort of reform of the test calendar which gets the smaller nations playing each other more.

How would replacing Kolpaks with more overseas player make them charlatans of the English game any more popular.

Hope they get relegated and stay there.

My entire wish for division 1 is Hampshire's relegation. I'd quite happily have even Yorkshire win. I think they will get sledged like hell.

 

[Immenso]

How would replacing Kolpaks with more overseas player make them charlatans of the English game any more popular.

Hope they get relegated and stay there.

Because they would be helping to improve world cricket rather than a major channel of ECBs rulings weakening it.

 

[GotSpin]

What are the chances?