India shot down Test championship - WICB chief

[Sachinism]

Julian Hunte, the West Indies board president, has said that the Indian cricket board shot down a proposal mooted by the ICC to organise Test cricket around the four-year Test championship cycle. Hunte's revelation - the first official disclosure by an ICC board member following reports that the Test championship plan had faded - came in his report at the annual general meeting of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) this month. "Initially, the ICC attempted to change the structure of the FTP beginning from 2012 in which international cricket would have more content and would play more as a Super League with a 4-year structure resulting in a World Cricket Championship [but this] failed when the BCCI rejected that proposal," Hunte said. "This meant a return to the old practice of full members agreeing to a schedule of tours, which in effect places the power in the hands of the four biggest commercially valued members." Hunte does not mention who those four are, but it is common knowledge that the boards of India, England, Australia and South Africa enjoy a dominating presence in the ICC boardroom. India earns a bulk of its revenue from TV rights and hence is not keen on a championship model that would lead to the setting up of a common broadcast cash pot. It has, consequently, successfully pushed for the existing model, where members arrive at bilateral agreements with the danger of those at the bottom of the table being marginalised. The post-2012 FTP is currently being finalised by the ICC, and Hunte said that the WICB "will seek to ensure that it is not disadvantaged" in the new schedule. Hunte also claimed, in a section of the report that deals with IPL, that some ICC full members remain suspicious of the motives of private promoters in the game, and concluded by saying that world cricket is at the crossroads and much depends on decisions that will be taken by the ICC. Hunte's report deals extensively with the WICB's dispute with its players that forced West Indies to name a second-string squad for the series against Bangladesh and the forthcoming Champions Trophy. But those comments are on expected and previously stated lines and Hunte blames the players for choosing not to represent the team and showing the "highest form of disregard and disdain for West Indies cricket". What is surprising, though, is that the document, which is essentially a report on West Indies cricket, contains significant comments on the FTP and IPL. He lists a set of concerns related to the rise of Twenty20 cricket while also admitting that players have "embraced" the BCCI's IPL with its auctions and high-profile owners. "The emergence of private promoters in cricket has been much debated and some Full Member countries retain their inherent suspicion of the real objectives of such promoters. The ICC has drawn the line in relation to other leagues such the as ICL, which are not recognised by their home boards. Conversely, decision-making at the ICC affecting the IPL is often seemingly under the influence of some Full Members. The WICB remains convinced that Full Members should in some way benefit financially from the IPL and expect to see a general tightening up with respect to the issuance of Non-Objection Certificates. With many challenges to be faced and overcome, the future of world cricket is now at the crossroads and much depends on the decisions which will have to be taken by ICC in the near future." Hunte's concerns about the IPL are not surprising given that one of the roadblocks in the dispute between the West Indies board and players is the question of participation in the IPL. Many of the West Indies players, including Chris Gayle, had wanted to be part of this year's IPL but were forced to fly to England midway to take part in a Test series that they claimed was arranged without obtaining prior consent from their association. The IPL - which comes under the BCCI - has since clarified that players who have retired and even those not on central contracts with their national boards need to get a two-year NOC from their boards to be eligible for the IPL. The Champions League Twenty20, of which the BCCI is a founding partner, has also invited Trinidad and Tobago, the West Indies' domestic toppers in the format, to participate in the tournament starting October 8 with total prize money of $6 million and a guaranteed fee of $500,000, apart from an unspecified payment for the respective national boards. http://www.cricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/422574.html

[kabira]

first of all windies chief should resolve crisis in his own board. Also need of hour is two tier test system to maintain competitive levels. so I agree with BCCI here no need for 4 year cycle. Lets top 4 teams right now are India, SL, RSA and Aus They should play each other home and away 3 test match series and winner is test champion, the fourth place team is relegated to lower tier and winner of lower tier is promoted.

[hitman1980]

btw how india alone can shot down the idea .. There need to be majority of votes to shot it down .. Every tom dick and harry now days try to comment on india just to gain cheap publicity :D

[ShermanAve]

This is where ICC needs to step in and show that they are the governing body and not BCCI. Test championship for top tier teams including Pak,SL,Ind,SA & Aus was a good idea. Now ICC must ensure that in FTP after 2012, powerful boards of Pak,Ind,Aus & Eng dont get priority in matches instead games should be distributed evenly among weak boards like Sl,NZ,WI & Bangladesh as well.

[EnterTheVoid]

Easiest way to get attention. Jump on the bash India / bash IPL / bash BCCI bandwagon and bark non sense. Best seat on the board table India has, surrounded by d!ckheads and beggars

[THX_1138]

to be honest a championship that lasts 4 years is rather meaningless. the compositions of the constituent teams change, and some teams might feel cheated: for instance, had such a tournament begun in 2007, right around now, australia would have been further along the championship than they deserve to be, and south africa lower than they ought to be!

[vvvslaxman]

It has, consequently, successfully pushed for the existing model, where members arrive at bilateral agreements with the danger of those at the bottom of the table being marginalised. - Whose fault is that? Last 5 years Tests played by each country. Look at the pathetic record of West Indies. He is complaining about being marginalized?

[Zap_Brannigan]

If it was upto the ICC and other boards, they would want all the money from India. ICC would have a world tournament every month and the other boards would want to host a Indian series every month, Well, fk them. Unless India gets 80% of the money from these events, there is no need to go along with this common moneypot tournaments. Powerful boards like Pak? Really?

[cricketrulez]

This is where ICC needs to step in and show that they are the governing body and not BCCI. Test championship for top tier teams including Pak' date='SL,Ind,SA & Aus was a good idea. Now ICC must ensure that in FTP after 2012, powerful boards of Pak,Ind,Aus & Eng dont get priority in matches instead games should be distributed evenly among weak boards like Sl,NZ,WI & Bangladesh as well.[/quote'] I think the problem was the proposed "new" (read fleece BCCI) revenue sharing model. Lets keep the same revenue model with existing contracts. Even better, lets make it so that each country keeps what it generates from its market and we can still have a test championship. you think pak, SL, Ban and WI will agree to that? If not tell me why it s unfair?

[Mamu]

If there is a joker outside of PCB who is incompetent and probably cannot save his mothers life -- if all that required was to take her to a hospital --- that is this moron Julian. He has taken WI to such low depths -- it is unthinkable. Cannot resolve his boards player problems for 3 years now. Moreover -- why the hell should India (or for that matter anybody) accept a proposal where money generated should be shared. BTW this moron Julian supported by the other set of jokers PCB -- floated the idea of sharing revenues -- no matter where the Bi-Lateral series is being played -- like for e.g when WI plays India in India -- apparently india should share the revenues generated from EVERYTHING including TV. Which person would do that?

[siddhu]

I don't know how a test match championship would be feasible with 2, 3, 4, 5 test matches in the series? . There has to be some consistency between the series. Like every test series 3-4 tests atleast.

[cowboysfan]

I am really perplexed by this Hunte character.he comes across as a douche and him accusing the richer boards is like a pot calling a kettle black.as for the test championship i would like it to take place in some format even if the existing model is followed for the next FTP.It will create more interest in tests.

[Malcolm Merlyn]

Wgy should BCCI share its money with them????we sell rights for our matches for 4 years at $650millz.........letz say 1/3rd are tests that 210 millz............hw mch west indies pakis sell their rights??? Pakis $50mn for all matches for 5 years....west indies i dont know but will be similar...........so they are trying to fleece BCCI of that money????wht should we give them that?The telecast right owner in India is Nimbus an indan company????why share it with the West indian and pakistani boards..........i think by powerful boards he meant BCCI/SAF/AUS/ENG...........if you cant earn your revenue dont try to steal others......

[DomainK]

An idiotic proposal got rejected. Whats the big deal?

[Pak_Forever]

I think Test Championship is the only way to save Test cricket. Now don't say India gets full attendance/ viewership in Test matches, b/c it doesn't. It has been sliding down and a day won't be far when Test matches will be played in front of empty stadiums (have already seen it in Mohali against Aussies) Test Championship is a brilliant idea and atleast Test matches will mean something. Teams will get equal exposure and it will raise the standard of each team and overall cricket by playing against almost every team out there. I am against two tier matches as it will only broaden the gap b/w the skills of cricket playing nations and in the end cricket will suffer, and those Test rankings are a joke as they change after every match. Lalchii BCCI rejecting this idea has once again showed what the solely care about!

[Malcolm Merlyn]

I think Test Championship is the only way to save Test cricket. Now don't say India gets full attendance/ viewership in Test matches' date=' b/c it doesn't. It has been sliding down and a day won't be far when Test matches will be played in front of empty stadiums (have already seen it in Mohali against Aussies) Test Championship is a brilliant idea and atleast Test matches will mean something. Teams will get equal exposure and it will raise the standard of each team and overall cricket by playing against almost every team out there. I am against two tier matches as it will only broaden the gap b/w the skills of cricket playing nations and in the end cricket will suffer, and those Test rankings are a joke as they change after every match. Lalchii BCCI rejecting this idea has once again showed what the solely care about![/quote'] It is our money....earned in our country by an indian board.....why should we share it with any country let alone pakistan or west indies.......if you cannot make revenue in your country itz not our fault......we have developed a system where we can make money.......and most of sponsors are indian except a one or two........test championship is a good idea.....but why this common broadcasting pot????Play the championship but let each country have its own revenue.....that idea of common pot was by those countries who cant do anything but envy BCCI and its money and jus want to have some easy money without having to develop any system.......This Julian Hunte,well none of his 1st team players in WI trust him so he can complaint as much,its our money and we will keep it........ BTW he also said that the powerful boards in ICC so ofcourse BCCI was not alone but backed by other boards.....

[Zap_Brannigan]

I think Test Championship is the only way to save Test cricket. Now don't say India gets full attendance/ viewership in Test matches' date=' b/c it doesn't. It has been sliding down and a day won't be far when Test matches will be played in front of empty stadiums (have already seen it in Mohali against Aussies) Test Championship is a brilliant idea and atleast Test matches will mean something. Teams will get equal exposure and it will raise the standard of each team and overall cricket by playing against almost every team out there. I am against two tier matches as it will only broaden the gap b/w the skills of cricket playing nations and in the end cricket will suffer, and those Test rankings are a joke as they change after every match. Lalchii BCCI rejecting this idea has once again showed what the solely care about![/quote'] Ofcourse you wouldnt agree to a 2 tier system as that would mean Pak in the 2nd tier. You defn are not biased. As an indian cricket fan, i can say that majority of the people here are more interested in tests against Aus and SA than Pak, Sl, WI, Ban,NZ. If BCCI is anything like the majority here, then they dont see much sense in playing 6 tests against the lesser teams when we could play Aus more. If money was the only factor here, then maybe ICC should come up with a rule that the revenues should go to which ever country it originates from instead the host team being the owner of the TV rights.Let's see if WI and Pak accept this ? Maybe then PCB will stop begging India to tour them.

[jf1gp_1]

Lalchii BCCI rejecting this idea has once again showed what the solely care about!

so are you telling me no other board cares about money ? infact there is a board right next door which just sold its self respect

[Zap_Brannigan]

so are you telling me no other board cares about money ? infact there is a board right next door which just sold its self respect

Begging is not caring about money..its uhm.....good for cricket...Yeah, thats it.PCB begging is good for the game.

[hitman1980]

I think Test Championship is the only way to save Test cricket. Now don't say India gets full attendance/ viewership in Test matches' date=' b/c it doesn't. It has been sliding down and a day won't be far when Test matches will be played in front of empty stadiums (have already seen it in Mohali against Aussies) Test Championship is a brilliant idea and atleast Test matches will mean something. Teams will get equal exposure and it will raise the standard of each team and overall cricket by playing against almost every team out there. I am against two tier matches as it will only broaden the gap b/w the skills of cricket playing nations and in the end cricket will suffer, and those Test rankings are a joke as they change after every match. Lalchii BCCI rejecting this idea has once again showed what the solely care about![/quote'] Now when test cricket is on decline than how can this championship save it??? Tht's the most stupidest thing i have every heard... Test cricket on decline cos of its format and not cos of who play against whom ... Btw empty stands in mohali doesn't mean test cricket is dead .. Its all abt tv viewership .. tht's where real money and soul of game lies .. There were massive crowd in chennai test against england .. So tht empty stadium BS is just a way to push this stupid championship plan ... I am so happy Indian board is one of those who has some sense and knocked it down .. But mind u there r other boards too .. India alone CANNOT shot down this proprosal .. Every piece of sh#% tries to drag India's name into news just to get cheap publicity ...