Ponting suggests getting rid of the toss

[kosingh]

Instead have the visiting team simply choose whether they want to bat or bowl. It's a crazy idea, but I kind of like it http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/michael-holding-ricky-ponting-suggest-doing-away-with-coin-toss-in-test-cricket/story-e6frf3g3-1227502965811

[Number]

What about neutral venue. Like India vs Sri Lanka in England.

[kosingh]

What about neutral venue. Like India vs Sri Lanka in England.

I think this only applies to test cricket.

[BlueBee]

Not a bad idea. Let the touring team has some sort of advantages. The new teams are **** outside home, this might atleast have an affect.

[fineleg]

Not a bad idea - do it for very FIRST test ONLY of a test series, and then have the Toss for remaining matches. That will be a way to "experiment" the idea.

[Precambrian]

Stupid idea. Home advantage = home advantage. Why should it get neutralized?

[philcric]

Stupid idea. Home advantage = home advantage. Why should it get neutralized?

For better cricket contests? I think it's a great idea.

[sage]

Yeah Ponting's right here, and I've suggested this before. This will prevent groundstaff from making 1-sided wickets as well

[mishra]

Just recently there was a county game where bowlers got so much variable bounce that they refused to bowl as it may hurt the batsmen and match was called off. Bar to judge a pitch as dangerous should be lowered. Test matches finishing in 2.5 days on English surfaces isnt helping anyone apart from mediocre bowlers like barbie being seen as Thomson and Marshall And this 2.5 day tests phenomenon is seen with alarming regularity England. Anywhere else in world, games last for over 3 days.

[Kalia_Test]

Broadcasters will have an issue with doing away with the toss. It is a source of advertisement. Many times I tune in 30 mins prior to see the toss and captain's reactions and who is playing who is not and keep the TV on from there. However, my suggestion is to allow captains to finalize the playing X1 AFTER the toss or let captains come to toss with 2 team sheets - depending on whether they get their choice of batting/fielding first, they share the appropriate X1. Will reduce the toss dependency somewhat.

[adi B]

Lol what a stupid idea

[philcric]

Lol what a stupid idea

Why do you think it is a stupid idea ?

[philcric]

Broadcasters will have an issue with doing away with the toss. It is a source of advertisement. Many times I tune in 30 mins prior to see the toss and captain's reactions and who is playing who is not and keep the TV on from there. However, my suggestion is to allow captains to finalize the playing X1 AFTER the toss or let captains come to toss with 2 team sheets - depending on whether they get their choice of batting/fielding first, they share the appropriate X1. Will reduce the toss dependency somewhat.

Your suggestion of playing XI after toss isn't bad. Regarding broadcasters, even contest between teams should draw more people to watch the games. The 30 minutes before the game for the toss is just on 1st day of the game. Hardly significant.

[sourab10forever]

Broadcasters will have an issue with doing away with the toss. It is a source of advertisement. Many times I tune in 30 mins prior to see the toss and captain's reactions and who is playing who is not and keep the TV on from there. However, my suggestion is to allow captains to finalize the playing X1 AFTER the toss or let captains come to toss with 2 team sheets - depending on whether they get their choice of batting/fielding first, they share the appropriate X1. Will reduce the toss dependency somewhat.

Point. Looking at the pitch most time we know what the toss winning captain will choose,so broadcasters will have an issue if the toss is removed and the away captain decides what he wants to do.Nothing exiting.

[sourab10forever]

Also that cricket is a game of uncertainties and removing toss might remove that small bit of pimch in the game.Toss has been a part of histroy of the game. But in the interest of the game this is probably the way to go.

[kosingh]

Although it's true that this is some post-Ashes whining from Australia, I think there's it's worth consideration. I don't think Ponting would say this after a home Ashes win. That said, test cricket has become very interesting again in the last 3-4 years. Mainly because games are not going the full 15 sessions and we are seeing results. Perhaps there's no need to tamper with test cricket as it currently is. I don't know what effect this would have on pitch preparation....

[vvvslaxman]

The rule is the same across all countries. So it is not going to be changed.

[maniac]

Makes sense for Ponting lol...the guy batted first regardless of the pitch whenever he won the toss.....came to bite him in the ass atleast on a couple of occasions.

[sachin34357]

Lol these guys cry about saving traditions but wants to get rid off toss

[moniker]

Broadcasters will have an issue with doing away with the toss. It is a source of advertisement. Many times I tune in 30 mins prior to see the toss and captain's reactions and who is playing who is not and keep the TV on from there. However, my suggestion is to allow captains to finalize the playing X1 AFTER the toss or let captains come to toss with 2 team sheets - depending on whether they get their choice of batting/fielding first, they share the appropriate X1. Will reduce the toss dependency somewhat.

Doing away with the toss will not do away with the pre-match captains' meet up. The visiting captain will still need to be asked of his decision to bat or bowl first.