Flat Pitches are killing Cricket.

[Cleavy]

Mark Taylor has revived the prospect of four day pitches. Might enable pitches to be made with a little life without losing the last day.

think of the slow over rates!

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

8 wickets per day is the perfect test match

Once the rate falls below that you're relying on declarations to get a result done or a massive collapse between lopsided opponents

You're doing it wrong. This board is for complaining only.

Subcontinent dust bowls are too unpredictable and games where teams are dismissed for 150 are shit.
Antipodean pitches are roads and games where teams bat for two days are shit.

Got it?

 

[sonnywalters]

My blue print for the future of Test cricket.

1. 4 day games
2. Bowler friendly wickets - aim for 40 wickets in 4 days.
3. Start on Thursday. Twilight sessions Friday and Sat night. Sunday conclusion.
4. Championship format over 2 years with 5 day Grand final in each Division.
5. Home and Away series v each team in your division. Away team gets to choose bat or bowl.
6. Three Tiers of 5-4-4 teams with promotion and relegation.
7. 2 up/2 down every 2 years for Div 1-2. So you need to stay in the top 3 to stay in the Premier Division. Top 2 in Div 2 come up.
8. Winner of GF is World Champion Trophy Holder.
9. If you finish 4th in the Premier League - well you need finish top 2 in the Championship and wait two years to get back up. This would make it very competitive.
10. 1 up/1 down between Div 2 and 3. Finishing 4th in Div 2 would be a disaster. Once again very competitive in Div 2 as you really want to get top 2 and avoid 4th.
11. Examples:
12. Premier Division (1) - India, Sth Africa, Australia, Paks, Kiwis (Bottom 2 down)
13. Championship Division (2) - Windies, Lanka, Bangas, England (Top 2 up/4th down)
14. Development League (3) - Ireland, Afhas, Zimmers, Wildcard (rotated) (First up)