Does India desearve the 5 test series at the expense of the Windies

[Hawkk]

Lets face it, 2000-01 was a joke the series was one by the 1st day of the 1st test-Windies were out for 70 with McGrath snearing 10-20 for the test.

So my question is why has the West Indies still got the 5 test series showcase series?

Surely it should be England and India or possibly New Zealand!!!!

Even though Windies games pull in a good gate this wont last, they have only won 1 medicore tournoment in 5 years-the ICC knockout series.

At least India have a talented batting lineup, arguably the best spin duro in the world and my favourite a sound pace attack, they have shown that although they dominate in India they can compete with the "big boys" in Australia. They alone pulled in a tremendous gate last season with it flutuating around the 180 000 mark each at Melbourne and Sydney. There is alot of Indians in Australia and I admire there patriotism to there country infact at the GABBA last year when they won that match against Australia I witnessed a tremendous roar when the Indian Tiger mauled the Australians to death in the last few overs.

Simalarly New Zealand has shown in the past that they lift when playing Australia, they seem to have a great following with a quarter of the crowd made up with the boys from the black caps.They have the potential to be competitive for a full 5 test series if given the chance.The Kiwis always lift for the big occasions.

South Africa have shown in the past that they are chockers under pressure thus I believe dont cut the mustard to compete in such a prestige event.

Of course non of these teams compete with the faboulous tradition of the Ashes nor the might of the "Barmy Army" therefore will never stir to the heights of one of the richest rivalries in world sport but lets face it whe ned a 2nd tier rivalry to fill in the time between experiencing a drink with the barmy army.

So what'll it be-West Indies,India or the New Zealanders?

[Cleavy]

So my question is why has the West Indies still got the 5 test series showcase series?

They don't. They're down for a 3 Test series next season with Sth Africa, iirc. They were supposed to tour this season for 3 Tests (instead of NZ, iirc).

[Black Thunder]

They don't. They're down for a 3 Test series next season with Sth Africa, iirc. They were supposed to tour this season for 3 Tests (instead of NZ, iirc).
yeah that's correct.

The only team that Australia really deserve to be playing over 5 tests is England. And that's a combinatin of both England are really the only team who may be able to compete over such a lengthy series, and because being the traditional rivals a 3 test series vs them would seem wrong.

I think CA is moving right away from 3 test series:
1) With this dominating Australian team, it somewhat hides the domination. a 5-0 test series win is much more humiliating then 3-0.
2) Given 2 3-test series = 6 tests = more money, why have 1 5-test series = 5 tests = less money.....

Personally i'd still like to see proper test world cup and i think it can be done.

[wagstaff]

yeah that's correct.

The only team that Australia really deserve to be playing over 5 tests is England. And that's a combinatin of both England are really the only team who may be able to compete over such a lengthy series, and because being the traditional rivals a 3 test series vs them would seem wrong.

I think CA is moving right away from 3 test series:
1) With this dominating Australian team, it somewhat hides the domination. a 5-0 test series win is much more humiliating then 3-0.
2) Given 2 3-test series = 6 tests = more money, why have 1 5-test series = 5 tests = less money.....



The main reason there are less 5 Test series is because there are more teams that have to be played within a fixed timeframe (home and away), with a certain amount of one-dayers that need to be played as well.

The only reason that England keep getting 5 Test series is because they easily get the best crowds out of all the sides on a consistent basis due to the tradition and history between the two countries.

There's probably only room for one other country currently to play more then 3 Tests against and India gets that right because they've been the side to challenge Austraila in recent years and have developed a rivalry, replacing the Windies.

[Russian]

At the moment no team deserves a 5 test series against Australia because they're just not good enough for the last 1 or 2 games not to be dead rubbers that nobody is interested in. England get 5 because of the rivalry that draws crowds, West Indies used to have that, South Africa had it a couple of years ago, now it's India, in 3 years it could be someone else. With the current system where they're supposed to play each other so often there really isn't room for too many 5 test series and when we play everyone so frequently I don't really see any point in changing that.

[BT]

Russian is right, at the moment 2 one sided tests per series is more than enough. England have earnt the right to a full series & at the moment they actually warrant one, so bring it on.

I'd prefer a full strength Kiwi side, if South Africa aren't an option.

The Windies are nowhere near it at the moment, thanx for the memories...

[clucas91]

I'd like to see a return to the days when being a touring side meant playing games against every team in the country. Enough of this playing 3 tests and ********ing off.

Whatever happened to the 6-tests + playing every county team + playing some wierd team Ashes tours?

[London Dave]

I'd like to see a return to the days when being a touring side meant playing games against every team in the country. Enough of this playing 3 tests and ********ing off.

Whatever happened to the 6-tests + playing every county team + playing some wierd team Ashes tours?

They never played every county team, well, at least since WW1. So much more cricket played internationally now. Impossible. I assume you'd like to return to the days when occasionally there was not tests in an Oz summer?

I'm still missing Gentlemen v Players.