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Ben Brettell's avatar

The report is a great piece of work with some well thought through recommendations. Sadly I suspect the ICC have already filed it in the waste paper bin. Too many vested interests in maintaining the status quo.

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Neil Manthorp's avatar

Actually, Ben, I'm not sure the 'ICC' have filed it in the waste-paper bin. Why would they bother? They have no power to make any meaningful decisions on this scale, so they probably just left it in the 'in-tray' to gather dust. Unless the BCCI instructed them to put it in the bin, then they would obviously have to follow orders. But, one day, the dust will be wiped off and it will be read. Maybe even some parts of it will be implemented. Here's to hoping...

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Ben Brettell's avatar

Fingers crossed. Many of the suggestions are pretty sensible. Your comment re BCCI and ICC made me chuckle…

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David Thomson's avatar

Good work by the WCA. I hope the ICC studies it. If there is space for the IPL, can work. International windows work in football. SA will lose the New Years' test and all that, but the SA20 can make up for that.

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Neil Manthorp's avatar

No, Dave, South Africa most definitely does not have to lose the Boxing Day and New Years Tests - definitely not. It would be up to each individual board to schedule their international commitments as they chose. The idea of the four three-week windows is to make it easier for them to commit to a global schedule of international cricket. And for the players to have far easier decisions when choosing between playing for their countries or the more lucrative, less satisfying franchise leagues. No country would be bound to fulfilling their international commitments in just those windows. Otherwise the Ashes and India's five-Test series against Australia and England would be impossible.

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David Thomson's avatar

ok that makes sense, good! I look forward to many new years' tests in my retirement.

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