VIEWPOINT – The lip service continues

Last month, the ICC’s Cricket Committee (yes, that of Sivaramakrishnan fame) yet again pretended to make an effort to preserve Test cricket’s ”primacy’, this time by stating that full members will be required to play a minimum number of Test matches every year. I felt optimistic when I came across the concerned article, […]

IN FOCUS – Fixes, suspicions and ‘predictions’

The 2011 World Cup was a roller-coaster of emotions for every Indian cricket fan, as the Men in Blue won the coveted trophy after 28 years in front of a delirious home crowd in Mumbai. A dream final, a fairy-tale finish and an apt conclusion to a well-contested tournament. At least that was […]

VIEWPOINT – A few thoughts on how to protect the game

A few days back, yet another Test series became a doubtful starter as the West Indian and Pakistani cricket boards failed to reach a decision on the scheduling of Pakistan’s two-Test tour to the Caribbean in July. Lamentably, this will be the second Test series in the Caribbean to be cancelled this year, with […]

VIEWPOINT – Why the FTP is a big joke

‘The ICC Future Tours Programme aims to provide a structured programme of cricket for Full Member countries, with an objective of each team playing each other once at home and once away’ – this is what the official website of the International Cricket Council claims with regard to its Future Tours Programme (FTP). However […]

VIEWPOINT – The case for the non-Test nations

The Irish veteran Trent Johnston recently lashed out at all those who refer to the non-Test playing nations as ‘minnows’, a term which he feels is deriding to all developing teams. Johnston’s grudge was that teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe refuse to play teams like Ireland and Afghanistan, and went on to cite that […]

If they don’t mean it, they shouldn’t say it

“We will do everything within our limits to protect Test cricket” – random cricket official “Nothing can replace the pride of a Test cap” – modern-day international cricketer “Country over club, ALWAYS” – most probably, a Twenty20 mercenary We have all surely heard such statements countless number of times, as everyone worth their salt is […]