World Test Championships off till 2017 at least

[Sachin=GOD]

They came to India in 2008 and 2010 - we toured in 2010/2011 as well. 1992/3, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2010... They toured in 1992/3, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2010 (tests were added by the BCCI)

so basically we've had 1 SA series every 2 years or so

[Cricket Tragic]

Steyn = 2 bowlers :yay: I hope he has a good series in England this time.

[Sachin=GOD]

Eng-SA is a much anticipated series - just hope it doesn't go the way another much anticipated series (India-Eng :sniffle:) went

[Sid]

Steyn = 2 bowlers ,nice one :haha: Steyn in full flow is always great to watch :nice:

[Cricket Tragic]

Almost a repeat of what he did to Vaughan earlier. That was on YT but I can't find it. [ame=

steyn bowls micheal vaughn .mp4 - YouTube[/ame]

[Prakat]

what a ball. :hatsoff:

[Sid]

Lol,this is the exact copy of how he bowled Vaughan in his very 1st test match.

[ganeshran]

Depends on our tour to Australia, If we are able to hold our own there, we will make the cut

[Cricket Tragic]

Lol' date='this is the exact copy of how he bowled Vaughan in his very 1st test match.[/quote'] Yep. That was even better actually.

[gaurav92]

Almost a repeat of what he did to Vaughan earlier. That was on YT but I can't find it.

Thats similar to the one Dravid got at A'bad in 2008, absolute peach

[Cricket Tragic]

Pujara got a ridiculous delivery in SA as well. :cantstop:

[rajmarie]

Steyn = 2 bowlers ,nice one :haha: Steyn in full flow is always great to watch :nice:

I fully expect Eng to prepare slower tracks to help Swann this time...because SA have the bowlers to hurt Eng if they prepare the same sort of seam bowler friendly tracks. But coming to Test Championship...since it will be in Eng....Eng will be fav to win it..considering home advantage not to mention they have a well oiled team.

[Cricket Tragic]

Btw' date=' why the feck is the final (and semis?) in England? They should have a cut-off date and then pick a neutral venue.[/quote']

[Dhoni_fan]

World Test Championships off till 2017 at least Sad news as I was looking forward to this event it would have been good for Test Cricket! I certainly do not put much stock into the champion trophy.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/15728803.stm

[Dhoni_fan]

Sad news as I was looking forward to this event it would have been good for Test Cricket! I certainly do not put much stock into the champion trophy.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/15728803.stm

The first Test Championship, expected to take place in England in 2013, will not now be played before 2017. The tournament was set to replace the Champions Trophy, a one-day competition that was last held in 2009. "I am disappointed it is not going to take place sooner," said International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) described the announcement as "a setback for Test cricket". The Test Championship, due to involve the top four teams in the ICC rankings, had been planned as a way of reviving international interest in the five-day format. England currently lead the rankings, with South Africa second, India third and Australia in fourth. Lorgat added that the proposed 2017 Championship, also scheduled to be held in England, would be "the first opportunity" to resurrect the tournament. The delay comes because of a lack of "support and consent" from the ICC's broadcast partner. England were originally awarded the 2013 Champions Trophy, which would have made way in the international cricket calendar for the Test Championship. Lord's was set to be the venue for the final of Test Championship, but after missing out on welcoming the touring New Zealand team for a five-day game, the ground may only host one Test in 2013. MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said: "The club's priority, given there will be a gap in the calendar in 2013, will be to secure the best possible major matches it can for Lord's to supplement the Australia Test and the New Zealand one-day international being played that year."

[daryl1985]

I'm surprised they never thought of this test championship idea 20 years ago. It's a real shame this has fallen through.

[ganeshran]

ESPN vetoed the idea guess after not being sure of the financial viability

[rajmarie]

ESPN vetoed the idea guess after not being sure of the financial viability

Since ICC cannot guarantee India participation (only top 4 teams will play)....ESPN vetoed the idea.....seeing how India played in Eng......they cant risk not having India. ICC should come out & say that clearly....that without India...ESPN cant take risk...& decided to stick with another meaningless ODI tornament. :asleep:

[surajmal]

Since ICC cannot guarantee India participation (only top 4 teams will play)....ESPN vetoed the idea.....seeing how India played in Eng......they cant risk not having India. ICC should come out & say that clearly....that without India...ESPN cant take risk...& decided to stick with another meaningless ODI tornament. :asleep:

If India svcks for the next year, they will be still be top 4...that is how bad Lanka, Pakis and Windies are. Outside of the hardcore fans, no one watches test cricket. ESPN is right in its concerns.

[jairamesh]

I was initially in favor of this. But after thinking it through. It was a stupid format. The idiots at MCC with backing from Lorgat unofficially started flouting and advertising this championship to generate initial interest without thinking through the format and broadcasting issues. What happens during a draw, tie?, what happens during washouts?, There was talk of an endless Test final?, really?, what is the qualification period? These old wigs at ICC and MCC have no idea that right now Tests is a dinosaur waiting for that meteorite to consign it to history, unless they act now to revamp the core Test structure. I don't blame ESPN Star as they have a duty to shareholders not some nostalgic appeasement for someone's wet dream of a Test Championship.