PCB official denies reports of a one-off Boxing Day Test in SA 2017 [Post #73]

[UN talkz]

DURBAN – It may not be India, but cricket fans will still see festive season international cricket at the end of the year, Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed this week.

“One way or another, we will be playing a Boxing Day Test this year,” CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat said on Friday.
India, the money-bags of world cricket, have already unfurled a crammed fixture list, which will see them engaged in home matches until the latter part of December.

That leaves South Africa nervously waiting for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to finalise what is supposed to be a three-match Test series tour, followed by limited-overs engagements.

“They are still definitely touring, but the starting date is still a challenge due to their itinerary,” Lorgat said. “We will make alternate arrangements if we have to, but we will play a Boxing Day Test to start our international season.”

That would leave the door open for a somewhat curious one-off Test match, with possible opponents ranging from the under-employed Pakistan team to, intriguingly, newly-promoted full-members Ireland or Afghanistan.

Whoever the opponents are, they will have to be given ample warning, though any of the three would probably be happy to play in such a prime fixture. The New Year’s Test in Cape Town is traditionally South Africa’s best fixture, and it is anticipated India would still be happy to honour the fixture.

Lorgat also raised an eyebrow at rumours that the Boxing Day Test was going to be moved from Durban to Centurion.

“It’s just rumours,” he said. “A lot of people are talking about that fixture, and they should be.”
Port Elizabeth has been afforded the chance to replace Durban before, but it has often been hit by terrible weather, and attendances that are just as dismal.

Meanwhile, the likes of Kyle Abbott, Rilee Rossouw and Colin Ingram may well be playing in South Africa by the end of the year, after Lorgat confirmed the Kolpak players were welcome to participate in the latest T20 offering in world cricket.

The T20 Global League player draft will not exclude those players who have sought greener pastures in the UK, and they will register as overseas players.
The draft was initially scheduled for next weekend, but it has been moved to the last weekend of August, in Cape Town.

Ahead of the draft, there will be an official gala dinner to herald the competition’s passage into the home straight, ahead of the November 3 start.

“The draft is open to Kolpak players, too, and we have actually increased the number of overseas players in each squad to five players. That will see the size of each squad increase to 18, to ensure that we still provide ample opportunities for local players,” Lorgat said at a media gathering with Fawad Rana, the owner of the newly-named Durban Qalanders.

Rana, who also owns the Lahore Qalanders, expressed hope that his side would include a few players from his native Pakistan, but also added that he would not be interfering with the plans of his coaching staff, led by Paddy Upton.

Pakistan, currently the ICC Champions Trophy holders after a stirring comeback in England in June, have several players who would be highly-coveted in the player draft.

As it stands, there are over 400 players who have registered their interest to play in the competition.
Lorgat also explained that the T20 Global League would always hold its final on December 16, at The Wanderers in Johannesburg.

“We have committed to hosting a final at The Wanderers every year. That is fixed, and we will always work backwards to the start date.
“This year that is November 3, and we want to keep it (the final) that way,” Lorgat explained.

Ten years after the Indian Premier League changed the cricket landscape forever, South African cricket chiefs remain bullish about their own competition, despite reservations about elements of governance from some corners.

“There is huge interest, and I think people will realise what we have once the competitions starts. We have had offers from around the world from sponsors, and also from prospective broadcasters around the world,” Lorgat revealed.

The next stage in the T20 Global League is the player draft, as well as the distribution of the eight marquee overseas players, which will all unravel on the bumper weekend of August 26-27.

https://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket...on-proteas-festive-cricket-opponents-10769376

 

[saeed5646]

from the current officials in the PCB about test format i can only think of one answer to CSA that is "No"

but i do hope i am totally wrong if CSA invites PCB to play they will accept it and play with them

 

[Markhor]

YES - do it if they offer us. Ideal opportunity to gain exposure of SA conditions before our full tour there next year.

 

[Proactive_]

I don't understand what's the need for India to even go to SA, better extent the SL home tour by 4 more tests and 15 more ODIs. That's what the public wants to see, more challenging home series with arch rivals Sri Lanka.. screw these easy overseas tours against the likes of SA, Eng and Aus, who watches them anyway.

 

[mak36]

I don't understand what's the need for India to even go to SA, better extent the SL home tour by 4 more tests and 15 more ODIs. That's what the public wants to see, more challenging home series with arch rivals Sri Lanka.. screw these easy overseas tours against the likes of SA, Eng and Aus, who watches them anyway.

That did make me chuckle.

 

[mak36]

PCB need to be proactive with this- they shouldn't wait for CSA to approach them, rather they should approach SA and get this booked in ASAP. Would be an exciting test match between two decent sides. Let's see what the PCB is made of.

 

[mak36]

Also it's interesting to hear that there are over 400 players who have registered for the GL- will be interested to see who the GL attracts.

 

[Napa]

SA thought it was a great idea to gang up with the rest to vote against India in ICC. There has to be an Indian response, and here it is. How many millions will the SA board lose by not having India play and being deprived of Indian TV revenues?

 

[mak36]

SA thought it was a great idea to gang up with the rest to vote against India in ICC. There has to be an Indian response, and here it is. How many millions will the SA board lose by not having India play and being deprived of Indian TV revenues?

There is so much wrong with this post I don't even know where to begin.

1. What sort of mentality is that?? Not voting with India does not mean SA ganged up on them. SA is an independent cricket board and voted in accordance with what it believed in. Not everything has to be a conspiracy. I like how you have excluded the possibility that India could be in the wrong re the vote.

2. By your own admission, India's actions are not to do with cricket but to do with trying to blackmail CSA. So who is ganging up on who? Heavens forbid if tours were organised for cricketing reasons rather than political back-scratching.

3. Please check your facts. India have confirmed they will be playing a full series against SA- dates tbc.

 

[aloo paratha]

Hope this happens. We need to play more test cricket!

 

[mak36]

Mickey should use his SA connections to make this happen.

 

[majiz]

Tipping Amir to succeed triumphantly

 

[amit]

I hope South Africa cancel the India-South Africa ODI series and have a India-Pakistan-South Africa tri-series in January with 10 ODIs. That way we will have atleast 3 Ind-Pak ODIs

 

[CanadianG00se]

I hope South Africa cancel the India-South Africa ODI series and have a India-Pakistan-South Africa tri-series in January with 10 ODIs. That way we will have atleast 3 Ind-Pak ODIs

As much as we fans want to see that happening, we all know BCCI wont agree to it.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

I hope South Africa cancel the India-South Africa ODI series and have a India-Pakistan-South Africa tri-series in January with 10 ODIs. That way we will have atleast 3 Ind-Pak ODIs

Pakistan are scheduled to play 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is with New Zealand in January.

 

[shabir kham]

Will Afghanistan able to get the boxing day Test in South Africa?

I am hearing news that Afghanistan is top contender to take that slot.

 

[kingusama92]

I am hearing news that Afghanistan is top contender to take that slot.

They're the only contender tbh.

AFG and PAK are available. But PAK will play in NZ starting January 6th.

 

[KingKhanWC]

PCB will refuse, too close to NZ series and a one off test would give SA too much of an advantage in the match.

 

[backfootpunch]

Also it's interesting to hear that there are over 400 players who have registered for the GL- will be interested to see who the GL attracts.

Gaddafi Lahore Stadium?

 

[shabir kham]

PCB will refuse, too close to NZ series and a one off test would give SA too much of an advantage in the match.

So then?

 

[KingKhanWC]

So then?

Afghanistan will go. Only way Pak is going is if CSA offer a lot of money to the PCB, for money the Pak board will not worry about time before before an important away series.

 

[Poutine]

SA thought it was a great idea to gang up with the rest to vote against India in ICC. There has to be an Indian response, and here it is. How many millions will the SA board lose by not having India play and being deprived of Indian TV revenues?

It's amazing how some posters seem almost proud of blackmailing and bullying that their board does.

 

[cricketjoshila]

It's amazing how some posters seem almost proud of blackmailing and bullying that their board does.

Bcci doesnt owe CSA anything.

 

[mak36]

Gaddafi Lahore Stadium?

Lol- no. I was referring to SA's Global League. No-one seems to have come up with an acronym so I thought I would go with GL.

Truth be told "Global League" is very nondescript- it doesn't give any hint it's a South African t20 league.

 

[mak36]

Bcci doesnt owe CSA anything.

Even if that were true, i'm not sure how that relates to blackmailing/bullying another cricket board?

 

[Junaids]

Just play two Tests in Zimbabwe 8-12 December and 15-19 December to warm up.

Then play South Africa 26-30 December and fly onwards to New Zealand on 31 December, arriving 1 January. It even leaves time to prepare in NZ before the ODI's.

 

[Suleiman]

What a sham it will be if we fail to take this opportunity and let Afghanistan play instead.

2nd blot on Najam Sethi proving his incompetence after the whole pulling players from county and cpl duty.

A lot like his leash holder Nawaz, he's a master at failing or humiliating us in front of the world.

 

[Leo23]

hope we turn down their approach

a one off useless test will be a waste of time and money

it will in no way help our players get used to their conditions and the result will not matter

it will also be costly for pcb and they will not make profit from it

i hope afghanistan gets the opportunity. it will be a landmark moment in their history

 

[Napa]

It's amazing how some posters seem almost proud of blackmailing and bullying that their board does.

Bcci doesnt owe CSA anything.

Even if that were true, i'm not sure how that relates to blackmailing/bullying another cricket board?

As Americans say "It's business, nothing personal".

When hundreds of millions of dollars are involved, it indeed is business.

 

[badsha001]

Just play two Tests in Zimbabwe 8-12 December and 15-19 December to warm up.

Then play South Africa 26-30 December and fly onwards to New Zealand on 31 December, arriving 1 January. It even leaves time to prepare in NZ before the ODI's.

not a bad idea at all...

 

[dani2k]

I think the message that the BCCI wants to send is that the last quarter of a calendar year is going to be their home season (International). For a second year in a row they will be playing at home in December.

Now this could have a conflict with boards from the southern hemisphere namely Aus, SA and NZ and it would be interesting to see if the same stand would be taken when India is supposed to visit Australian shores in their summer.

I however do not agree that SL team in their current form need a full series currently, but there could be compulsions from the sponsers we don't know about and this series could be a result of that.

And I read in some reports that India want to have atleast a week or two of preparation before their matches with SA start whereas SA rightly want to salvage atleast their New year test match since boxing day is ruled out now (with India atleast)

It would be quite interesting to see how this pans out.

 

[CanadianG00se]

I think the message that the BCCI wants to send is that the last quarter of a calendar year is going to be their home season (International). For a second year in a row they will be playing at home in December.

Now this could have a conflict with boards from the southern hemisphere namely Aus, SA and NZ and it would be interesting to see if the same stand would be taken when India is supposed to visit Australian shores in their summer.

I however do not agree that SL team in their current form need a full series currently, but there could be compulsions from the sponsers we don't know about and this series could be a result of that.

And I read in some reports that India want to have atleast a week or two of preparation before their matches with SA start whereas SA rightly want to salvage atleast their New year test match since boxing day is ruled out now (with India atleast)

It would be quite interesting to see how this pans out.

BCCI never made a committment to CSA that they would play Boxing day test. So, if they want to have boxing day test, sure find someone who is available. Secondly, its long time coming that India also have fixed home season. If India have home season from October to December than i guess southern nations would've to adjust their schedule when India is due to visit them.

CSA played dirty politics during IPL and now are paying price for it. H Lorgat have been terrible administrator for CSA. Even the weak BCCI is too goo to for CSA.

 

[Junaids]

BCCI never made a committment to CSA that they would play Boxing day test. So, if they want to have boxing day test, sure find someone who is available. Secondly, its long time coming that India also have fixed home season. If India have home season from October to December than i guess southern nations would've to adjust their schedule when India is due to visit them.

CSA played dirty politics during IPL and now are paying price for it. H Lorgat have been terrible administrator for CSA. Even the weak BCCI is too goo to for CSA.

I know what you mean, but December/January is the school and work holidays, and for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa it is the non-negotiable home season.

Nobody apart from the board cares whether the cricket board gets rich and fat on Indian TV revenue at all. Public opinion matters here, and the public expect to be able to attend matches and watch them on TV during their summer holidays in December and July. In Australia it is even more fixed than in South Africa: 5 or 6 Tests take place in the six from mid-November to 8 January, and then ODIs take place for the next fortnight.

If the Board tried to sell the holiday period to the BCCI, and deprived people on holiday of a home season, the cricketing public and players would simply abandon the board.

 

[CanadianG00se]

I know what you mean, but December/January is the school and work holidays, and for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa it is the non-negotiable home season.

Nobody apart from the board cares whether the cricket board gets rich and fat on Indian TV revenue at all. Public opinion matters here, and the public expect to be able to attend matches and watch them on TV during their summer holidays in December and July. In Australia it is even more fixed than in South Africa: 5 or 6 Tests take place in the six from mid-November to 8 January, and then ODIs take place for the next fortnight.

If the Board tried to sell the holiday period to the BCCI, and deprived people on holiday of a home season, the cricketing public and players would simply abandon the board.

I doubt BCCI cares if the home board suffers. Their only objective is betterment of Indian cricket.

 

[Junaids]

I know what you mean, but December/January is the school and work holidays, and for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa it is the non-negotiable home season.

Nobody apart from the board cares whether the cricket board gets rich and fat on Indian TV revenue at all. Public opinion matters here, and the public expect to be able to attend matches and watch them on TV during their summer holidays in December and July. In Australia it is even more fixed than in South Africa: 5 or 6 Tests take place in the six from mid-November to 8 January, and then ODIs take place for the next fortnight.

If the Board tried to sell the holiday period to the BCCI, and deprived people on holiday of a home season, the cricketing public and players would simply abandon the board.

I should add, for the benefit of Indian readers, that there is a major problem with the Indian tour of South Africa in four months' time.

They are touring in January and February, and the schedule has still not been agreed by India.

Australia tours South Africa the following month, and the schedule was finalised six months ago, which is when I bought my flights and hotels to watch it. The Aussie tour is not in the summer holidays, but it does include the Easter holidays, so viewing figures and attendances will be excellent.

But India is refusing to play the 4 Tests until after kids and workers in South Africa have returned to school and work. The local broadcaster SuperSport is furious that it has paid good money but won't sell any subscriptions, the vendors are incensed that there will be no crowds to sell food, beverages and merchandise to, and the hotels and airlines are annoyed that the schedule has been released too late to stimulate any cricket tourism.

The relationship between CSA and the BCCI has been strained even further, while with the exception of Durban, with its large Indian minority, there will be no spectators or TV viewers.

It's an unmitigated disaster for everyone except Cricket South Africa, who get to sell the overseas TV rights for a profit.

 

[Junaids]

I doubt BCCI cares if the home board suffers. Their only objective is betterment of Indian cricket.

But how does this better Indian cricket?

If they move their home season to October to December they antagonise both of the two cricketing superpowers (in terms of playing power over the last 25 years). And for what benefit?

 

[Suleiman]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] do you think if Pakistan actually goes through with this who would win in your opinion?

Please no Umar Akmal and how he is king of pace bowling.

 

[CanadianG00se]

But how does this better Indian cricket?

If they move their home season to October to December they antagonise both of the two cricketing superpowers (in terms of playing power over the last 25 years). And for what benefit?

India do not have fix season which is why i believe October - December is suitable. Firstly, late Oct and early november is Diwali season, so great time for BCCI to schedule some home games. Also, late december is Xmas break in India, so apart from summer, those 3 months are perfect for home season.

Recently, India have been playing continous home games and before that they were touring one country after another. Like Australia, England, and SA, India too need a fixed home schedule where people in diwali break can enjoy cricket.

Coming to SA, well H Lorgat already knew since IPL that India wont be touring for boxing day test, so instead of finding alternative, CSA were playing waiting game. Now, you talk about school kids and what not will miss out watching SA games, but same also applies to Indian kids who will be having Diwali/Xmas break.

This mess wouldve been avoided had Lorgat not played dirty politics but why do you care, in your eyes its always India's fault.
Neither South Africa nor Australia are cricketing super powers. Infact right now every team bullies other in favourable conditions. SA had epic beatings in India, and less we talk about Australia in Asia the better.

 

[Junaids]

India do not have fix season which is why i believe October - December is suitable. Firstly, late Oct and early november is Diwali season, so great time for BCCI to schedule some home games. Also, late december is Xmas break in India, so apart from summer, those 3 months are perfect for home season.

Recently, India have been playing continous home games and before that they were touring one country after another. Like Australia, England, and SA, India too need a fixed home schedule where people in diwali break can enjoy cricket.

Coming to SA, well H Lorgat already knew since IPL that India wont be touring for boxing day test, so instead of finding alternative, CSA were playing waiting game. Now, you talk about school kids and what not will miss out watching SA games, but same also applies to Indian kids who will be having Diwali/Xmas break.

This mess wouldve been avoided had Lorgat not played dirty politics but why do you care, in your eyes its always India's fault.
Neither South Africa nor Australia are cricketing super powers. Infact right now every team bullies other in favourable conditions. SA had epic beatings in India, and less we talk about Australia in Asia the better.

My friend, you and I are coming at this from slightly different perspectives.

I would love to see a responsible BCCI provide real leadership for global cricket. It's easy to be a bully, but it's much better to be a leader.

The bottom line is that pretty much every non-Asian country has a fixed traditional cricket season, and India doesn't. In part that is because until recently it was too poor a country to have things like 4+ weeks of paid holiday per year, subscription TV services, etc. It's economy and economic power have exploded, but there is still no culture of cricket tourism: home and away series are fixed at the last minute because nobody travels for 2 or 3 weeks to watch cricket matches.

I wish India would be a little more considerate of other people's cricket seasons. They have moved the West Indies season back towards the hurricane season, and it looks as if there is no respect for when Australia, New Zealand and South Africa play.

I would politely say that India should try to work with the other Boards, rather than steamroller them out of the way.

BTW, Haroon Lorgat has done nothing to India since returning to CSA. Srinivasan's gripes with him are silly and trivial really. Lorgat's a pretty sound administrator, which is why he doesn't suffer fools - or thieves - gladly. On his watch the ICC commissioned a world class governance document which appalled the BCCI because it removed the ability to bribe, embezzle or bully. The BCCI then used economic power to make the ICC adopt almost the precise opposite of every recommendation in the Wolff Report, which created the current system which actively encourages all of those things, as well as making the Anti-Corruption Unit lose its independence and secrecy and instead report to a person whose own team and son-in-law were found guilty of corruption!

 

[mak36]

My friend, you and I are coming at this from slightly different perspectives.

I would love to see a responsible BCCI provide real leadership for global cricket. It's easy to be a bully, but it's much better to be a leader.

The bottom line is that pretty much every non-Asian country has a fixed traditional cricket season, and India doesn't. In part that is because until recently it was too poor a country to have things like 4+ weeks of paid holiday per year, subscription TV services, etc. It's economy and economic power have exploded, but there is still no culture of cricket tourism: home and away series are fixed at the last minute because nobody travels for 2 or 3 weeks to watch cricket matches.

I wish India would be a little more considerate of other people's cricket seasons. They have moved the West Indies season back towards the hurricane season, and it looks as if there is no respect for when Australia, New Zealand and South Africa play.

I would politely say that India should try to work with the other Boards, rather than steamroller them out of the way.

BTW, Haroon Lorgat has done nothing to India since returning to CSA. Srinivasan's gripes with him are silly and trivial really. Lorgat's a pretty sound administrator, which is why he doesn't suffer fools - or thieves - gladly. On his watch the ICC commissioned a world class governance document which appalled the BCCI because it removed the ability to bribe, embezzle or bully. The BCCI then used economic power to make the ICC adopt almost the precise opposite of every recommendation in the Wolff Report, which created the current system which actively encourages all of those things, as well as making the Anti-Corruption Unit lose its independence and secrecy and instead report to a person whose own team and son-in-law were found guilty of corruption!

You have hit the nail on the head with this post Junaids.

I have questioned a number of your posts, but this is definitely one of your better ones.

 

[CanadianG00se]

My friend, you and I are coming at this from slightly different perspectives.

I would love to see a responsible BCCI provide real leadership for global cricket. It's easy to be a bully, but it's much better to be a leader.

The bottom line is that pretty much every non-Asian country has a fixed traditional cricket season, and India doesn't. In part that is because until recently it was too poor a country to have things like 4+ weeks of paid holiday per year, subscription TV services, etc. It's economy and economic power have exploded, but there is still no culture of cricket tourism: home and away series are fixed at the last minute because nobody travels for 2 or 3 weeks to watch cricket matches.

I wish India would be a little more considerate of other people's cricket seasons. They have moved the West Indies season back towards the hurricane season, and it looks as if there is no respect for when Australia, New Zealand and South Africa play.

I would politely say that India should try to work with the other Boards, rather than steamroller them out of the way.

BTW, Haroon Lorgat has done nothing to India since returning to CSA. Srinivasan's gripes with him are silly and trivial really. Lorgat's a pretty sound administrator, which is why he doesn't suffer fools - or thieves - gladly. On his watch the ICC commissioned a world class governance document which appalled the BCCI because it removed the ability to bribe, embezzle or bully. The BCCI then used economic power to make the ICC adopt almost the precise opposite of every recommendation in the Wolff Report, which created the current system which actively encourages all of those things, as well as making the Anti-Corruption Unit lose its independence and secrecy and instead report to a person whose own team and son-in-law were found guilty of corruption!

Again, how convinently you ignored my point where i explained why october to december is perfect for India's home season. You keep on harping about how other country would suffer if India do not tour them for their home season. Well if they are so dependent on one country financially to bail them out, then im sorry its their own fault. Secondly, Australia and South Africa do not tour each other during Xmas season as it is home season for them. So, why can't India tour them post Xmas.
You keep on suggesting that India should be more considerate, well they should be considerate but not at the expense of their own loss. Thats foolish to expect from BCCI, like i mentioned earlier their objective is only betterment of INDIAN CRICKET.

Now, you're talking about fans in India do not have finances to travel for multiple weeks to watch games. Well you have absolute no idea about Indian fans and culture. First of all, Indians do not travel around country for games, it is consider pointless exercise, most Indian fans watches game from home. Stadiums are filled by locals. Then you mentioned about Cable/subscriptions, well in India you do not buy channel seperartely( thats what it was 10 years ago). You buy the package from cable tv or dish tv and most channels comes in a combo. Secondly, the broadcasters major source of Income isnt from subscriptions rather they make it from Advertisement. In India its very different than western world so comparison is flawed.
Unlike Australia, India do not need cricket tourism because we have massive population. So no matter where the matches played in India fans will flock( except if its boring test matches)

Coming to Lorgat, you clearly misunderstood when i said he played dirty politics. Yes, in past he did had running with BCCI namely Srinivasan. But right now, Lorgat had running on different subject. During IPL he legit tried to blackmail BCCI( not a smart move) and now he, CSA, and fans in SA are paying the price.

Lastly, id add that yes i do want BCCI to help out whenever it can but not at the expense of self interest.

 

[anindo]

BCCI has decided to create a fixed home season which is an excellent idea. In most years the home season will run from mid-September to mid-December so there should be minimal overlap with the home seasons of the Southern Hemisphere countries.

This year unfortunately the Sri Lankans have requested that their tour of India scheduled in Feb-Mar 2018 to accommodate the Independence Cup in Sri Lanka next year. So the BCCI had to choose between supporting the Sri Lankans or the South Africans.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I know what you mean, but December/January is the school and work holidays, and for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa it is the non-negotiable home season.

Nobody apart from the board cares whether the cricket board gets rich and fat on Indian TV revenue at all. Public opinion matters here, and the public expect to be able to attend matches and watch them on TV during their summer holidays in December and July. In Australia it is even more fixed than in South Africa: 5 or 6 Tests take place in the six from mid-November to 8 January, and then ODIs take place for the next fortnight.

If the Board tried to sell the holiday period to the BCCI, and deprived people on holiday of a home season, the cricketing public and players would simply abandon the board.

BCCI cares about what public in a foreign land thinks?Nctober to December is Indian home season and that is it. India may play at the best the New Years test as the 1st test of a tour to Aus or SA.

 

[cricketjoshila]

My friend, you and I are coming at this from slightly different perspectives.

I would love to see a responsible BCCI provide real leadership for global cricket. It's easy to be a bully, but it's much better to be a leader.

The bottom line is that pretty much every non-Asian country has a fixed traditional cricket season, and India doesn't. In part that is because until recently it was too poor a country to have things like 4+ weeks of paid holiday per year, subscription TV services, etc. It's economy and economic power have exploded, but there is still no culture of cricket tourism: home and away series are fixed at the last minute because nobody travels for 2 or 3 weeks to watch cricket matches.

I wish India would be a little more considerate of other people's cricket seasons. They have moved the West Indies season back towards the hurricane season, and it looks as if there is no respect for when Australia, New Zealand and South Africa play.

I would politely say that India should try to work with the other Boards, rather than steamroller them out of the way.

BTW, Haroon Lorgat has done nothing to India since returning to CSA. Srinivasan's gripes with him are silly and trivial really. Lorgat's a pretty sound administrator, which is why he doesn't suffer fools - or thieves - gladly. On his watch the ICC commissioned a world class governance document which appalled the BCCI because it removed the ability to bribe, embezzle or bully. The BCCI then used economic power to make the ICC adopt almost the precise opposite of every recommendation in the Wolff Report, which created the current system which actively encourages all of those things, as well as making the Anti-Corruption Unit lose its independence and secrecy and instead report to a person whose own team and son-in-law were found guilty of corruption!

Lorgat tried to blackmail BCCI,He and CSA are paying the price.

Rest of your post about Induan cricket,fans,economy is utter rubbish though [MENTION=143738]CanadianG00se[/MENTION] did try to explain you the difference.

You have no idea about how things work in India.Then again you also never fail to pass opinion on the so called "poor" india and its economy.Yet everyone is fighting to play in the Indian league.

 

[Saj]

I hope this doesn't happen.

Pakistan are usually awful in South Africa and normally get hammered there.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Pakistan should accept if they offer two FC games before the match.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Just one test is a massive advantage to the home team. Play 3 ODIs instead, can be easily accommodated in 5 days and PCB can make more money.

 

[Junaids]

I hope this doesn't happen.

Pakistan are usually awful in South Africa and normally get hammered there.

You are forgetting several things:

1. Pakistan has a South African coach.

2. Azhar, Sami, Babar, Shafiq, Sarfraz, Yasir and Amir - 7 of the Test starting eleven - played in Australia last summer so are familiar with the conditions.

3. Pakistan has a full 3 Test tour to South Africa 12 months later - this is a chance to remain in practice in the conditions.

4. South Africa is at a historic low ebb, with barely concealed infighting about the impact of the quota system on the team.

5. Pakistan is overdue to tour Zimbabwe and to host Zimbabwe. Either visit Zimbabwe first for 2 "away" Tests, or instead of playing warm-ups v South African sides host 2 Tests against Zimbabwe in small South African centres like Mickey Arthur's hometown of East London, or Benoni, or Kimberley or Bloemfontein.

It would be far cheaper to host Zimbabwe in South Africa than in the UAE. Hotels are cheaper, flights are 1/10 the cost and South Africa has to pay for Pakistan's flights as far as South Africa anyway.

Properly executed, it could be really good for the team.

 

[kingusama92]

Why not play a couple of ODIs instead?

It suits both sides.

SA gets a game on Boxing day, Pakistan gets additional practice for its NZ series.

 

[MMHS]

One Test means almost gifting a Test win to SAF, unless it rains.

I can recall 1994, when a very good PAK team played such one Test in SAF & lost the match embarrassingly (would have lost by innings in 3 days, but SAF didn't enforce the follow on). Apart from pathetic show, 2 or 3 players got injured during match & couple couldn't even play first Test against ZIM 2 weeks later, which PAK lost by innings with ZIM losing 4 wickets in their only innings.

Ideally, they should play 6/7 ODI between that happy holiday period - from 26th to 10th Jan (26, 29, 1, 4, 7 & 10). At current state, PAK ODI team will be much, more competitive in SAF than Test team. If they are to play Test series, it should be at least 2 Tests - Boxing day Test at Kingsmead & New Years Test at Newlands. But, before that, at least 2 4day matches against decent teams in SAF, otherwise there is no point playing Tests.

In best case scenario, I would like to see PAK playing few FC matches (even a Test) against us in SAF before playing couple of Tests with SAF, if not 3. It has to be a meaningful tour, otherwise it's too shallow to be used as proxi.

 

[MenInG]

Hope India take their time! And Pakistan get a chance to play that game.

 

[Abdullah719]

One Test means almost gifting a Test win to SAF, unless it rains.

I can recall 1994, when a very good PAK team played such one Test in SAF & lost the match embarrassingly (would have lost by innings in 3 days, but SAF didn't enforce the follow on). Apart from pathetic show, 2 or 3 players got injured during match & couple couldn't even play first Test against ZIM 2 weeks later, which PAK lost by innings with ZIM losing 4 wickets in their only innings.

Ideally, they should play 6/7 ODI between that happy holiday period - from 26th to 10th Jan (26, 29, 1, 4, 7 & 10). At current state, PAK ODI team will be much, more competitive in SAF than Test team. If they are to play Test series, it should be at least 2 Tests - Boxing day Test at Kingsmead & New Years Test at Newlands. But, before that, at least 2 4day matches against decent teams in SAF, otherwise there is no point playing Tests.

In best case scenario, I would like to see PAK playing few FC matches (even a Test) against us in SAF before playing couple of Tests with SAF, if not 3. It has to be a meaningful tour, otherwise it's too shallow to be used as proxi.

5 ODIs and 3 T20Is in NZ starting 6th Jan.

 

[MMHS]

5 ODIs and 3 T20Is in NZ starting 6th Jan.

Is it? I thought it was from 2nd half of Jan. In that case, absolutely no point of playing 1 Test to lose embarrassingly just as a stop gap for CSA. Rather, it should be 3 ODI series with the lady one on 1st Jan.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Stupid to play ODIs. It serves no purpose. Our players need to get acclimated to the conditions for the tour next year. Two FC games(if they can manage to arrange) and a test match would serve that purpose.

 

[Syed1]

Wooooowwww how did I miss this. This is such a mouthwatering prospect. One off test against a side like SA on Boxing Day. Winner takes all, or both sides agree to a respectful stalemate.


I hope we don't capitulate like we did last time. We have an excellent side and with boys like Azhar, Asad, Saifi we have gritty batsmen who can play plenty of backs-against-the-wall innings. Then our bowling is unmatched in world cricket.

Can't wait to take the Proteas on in their own den.

 

[Bilal7]

If we win this, we'll become the first Asian team to win a test series in South Africa, along with already being the first to win an ODI series there.

Amir, Junaid, Hassan and Shah bowling in South Africa will be great viewing. South Africa should postpone their plundering of the hapless Indian attack and give their fans a show on Boxing Day.

 

[CanadianG00se]

If we win this, we'll become the first Asian team to win a test series in South Africa, along with already being the first to win an ODI series there.

Amir, Junaid, Hassan and Shah bowling in South Africa will be great viewing. South Africa should postpone their plundering of the hapless Indian attack and give their fans a show on Boxing Day.

The same Indian team with hapless bowling attack have managed to draw a series with SA once, on the other hand Pakistan team with super phasstt bowlers......

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=143738]CanadianG00se[/MENTION] Pakistan have drawn a series in SA too. in 97/98 Pak drew 1-1 in a 3 match series in SA.

 

[Adil_94]

one off test seems something that we are above as a country this spot is normally reserved for minnows.

would rather play a 3 ODI series or 2 tests. A one off test is too much of a throwaway for me.

 

[CanadianG00se]

[MENTION=143738]CanadianG00se[/MENTION] Pakistan have drawn a series in SA too. in 97/98 Pak drew 1-1 in a 3 match series in SA.

Thats my point. Asian teams are generally poor in southern hemisphere except here and there exception.

Pakistan do have some awesome bowling unit, but their batting seems thin now that misbah and younis are gone.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Pakistan do have some awesome bowling unit, but their batting seems thin now that misbah and younis are gone.

Haris and Usman Salahuddin are better than Younis and Misbah against fast bowling. We have more chances against SA, Aus, Eng and NZ now. Pakistani will win 2 of our next 4 test series in these countries but we might struggle in Asia in the start.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Haris and Usman Salahuddin are better than Younis and Misbah against fast bowling. We have more chances against SA, Aus, Eng and NZ now. Pakistani will win 2 of our next 4 test series in these countries but we might struggle in Asia in the start.

Haris is coming off from long injury. Might not be the same player as he was pre injury.

 

[KhalidRafi]

I don't see any reason why Pakistan should play this test. First off, what is the point of a one-off test? It proves very little in test cricket and is usually reserved for minnows so they can get a chance to compete against a bigger team. Even Bangladesh used to get a minimum of 2 tests in their formative years.

And why would you want to put an inexperienced batting line-up that recently lost two of its most experienced batsmen on a bouncy green-track? with Rabada, Philander and likely Steyn bowling from different ends. Pakistan will get hammered and humiliated. Let Afghanistan play and fulfill their dream of sitting on the big boys table. Where they will be pushed off within 2 days

 

[Mainul]

Wooooowwww how did I miss this. This is such a mouthwatering prospect. One off test against a side like SA on Boxing Day. Winner takes all, or both sides agree to a respectful stalemate.


I hope we don't capitulate like we did last time. We have an excellent side and with boys like Azhar, Asad, Saifi we have gritty batsmen who can play plenty of backs-against-the-wall innings. Then our bowling is unmatched in world cricket.

Can't wait to take the Proteas on in their own den.

No harm in dreaming.Pakistan is supposed to loose by innings margin in SA.

It's again a stupid decision by PCB.As MMHS mentioned it's a suicide approch by not playing any practice match before the test match.And it's a one off test.Its ridiculous how a team like Pakistan having a glorious cricket history approch test cricket.They play one off test,2 test series! And they have played highest T20s,more than any country even more than India!!!

 

[Junaids]

No harm in dreaming.Pakistan is supposed to loose by innings margin in SA.

It's again a stupid decision by PCB.As MMHS mentioned it's a suicide approch by not playing any practice match before the test match.And it's a one off test.Its ridiculous how a team like Pakistan having a glorious cricket history approch test cricket.They play one off test,2 test series! And they have played highest T20s,more than any country even more than India!!!

Who said no practice match?

Pakistan is overdue to play both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

The cheap option is to play 2 Tests in Zimbabwe before the South Africa Test.

The smart option is to host Bangladesh in South Africa before the South Africa Test.

 

[MMHS]

Who said no practice match?

Pakistan is overdue to play both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

The cheap option is to play 2 Tests in Zimbabwe before the South Africa Test.

The smart option is to host Bangladesh in South Africa before the South Africa Test.

Theoretically nice idea, but 23 years back PAK played J'burg Test within 48 hours of landing & couple of players started limping from day 3. Don't think PCB's stance for Test matches has changed much - team'll travel to SAF on 20th, play a 2 day game with 16 players (11 bat, 11 field ); then play the Test. PCB won't send team 15 days prior to the Test.

In fact, I am pretty sure CSA won't agree with this - they'll lose 2 days revenue. Unless, there is enough preparation time, they'll play ODI. It's surprising that MMHS is promoting ODI/T20 instead of Test, but there is a reason & history for that.

 

[Junaids]

Theoretically nice idea, but 23 years back PAK played J'burg Test within 48 hours of landing & couple of players started limping from day 3. Don't think PCB's stance for Test matches has changed much - team'll travel to SAF on 20th, play a 2 day game with 16 players (11 bat, 11 field ); then play the Test. PCB won't send team 15 days prior to the Test.

In fact, I am pretty sure CSA won't agree with this - they'll lose 2 days revenue. Unless, there is enough preparation time, they'll play ODI. It's surprising that MMHS is promoting ODI/T20 instead of Test, but there is a reason & history for that.

The difference between 1995 and 2017 is Mickey Arthur........who is South African.

Cricket South Africa would be responsible for paying Pakistan's air tickets to South Africa whatever the date is, and accommodation from 21-31 December, as well as flying them back either to Pakistan or, more likely, New Zealand.

If Pakistan specified that they wished to do the flight to South Africa on 4 December, Pakistan can then propose to Zimbabwe Cricket a highly attractive deal. Pakistan will pay their own fares from Johannesburg to Harare on 5 December, leaving Zimbabwe Cricket responsible only for providing accommodation from 5-21 December.

Zimbabwe Cricket gets to host the cheapest tour imaginable. They would probably simply play 2 back-to-back Tests at Bulawayo on 8-12 December and 16-20 December.

Everybody's happy.

The PCB doesn't spend a cent, but gets 2 warm up Tests less than 500 miles away to adapt to the conditions.

Cricket South Africa only spends the bare minimum on flights and accommodation, but the added Zimbabwe leg ensures that Pakistan puts up a decent performance in the Test and so they get 5 days of gate receipts.

Zimbabwe Cricket gets to host the cheapest imaginable tour. The airfares are tiny - $300 per person instead of the usual $6000 but are paid by the PCB - and the accommodation cost is minimal too, as the whole tour only lasts 16 days.

Everybody wins.

Not least Mickey Arthur, who gets Christmas at home with his South African family and gets decent preparation for his team.

 

[Junaids]

Correction to my earlier post:

Cricket South Africa pays airfares to South Africa and accommodation 21-31 December.

Zimbabwe Cricket pays 16 days accommodation for Pakistan as the lowest cost in history for hosting 2 Tests.

The PCB pays $300 per person - a paltry $6,000 for the whole touring party - to get the team from South Africa to neighbouring Zimbabwe.

For all 3 boards this becomes the cheapest tour imaginable.

 

[MMHS]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] - don't you think that I calculated the same. My post is above somewhere, but what you or me can look for our lunch isn't the menu of PCB.

 

[Harpoon]

Stupid to play ODIs. It serves no purpose. Our players need to get acclimated to the conditions for the tour next year. Two FC games(if they can manage to arrange) and a test match would serve that purpose.

Given that South Africa is sending half its national squad to play in the world 11 and helping bring cricket back to Pakistan, Pakistan will visit SA whenever they call for pak. Even if it is for one T20 match.
We Pakistanis may be many things but we are not ihsan faramosh. We have long memories and we don't forget our friends. If SA calls, pak will be there. Screw the practice match.

 

[wrongun]

Given the lack of other test options, a Boxing Day test is a great attraction. Big crowds. Big occasion. Exactly what fans love, players love & your boys need more of to develop.

Whoever said try to organise some tests/ODI vs Zim as a warm up had a good plan to make the tour worthwhile.

You could delay your arrival to NZ by 2 days and no harm done, given you would be coming off some good tough cricket as preparation.

 

[Syed1]

No harm in dreaming.Pakistan is supposed to loose by innings margin in SA.

It's again a stupid decision by PCB.As MMHS mentioned it's a suicide approch by not playing any practice match before the test match.And it's a one off test.Its ridiculous how a team like Pakistan having a glorious cricket history approch test cricket.They play one off test,2 test series! And they have played highest T20s,more than any country even more than India!!!

90% of our nation likes ODIs and T20s more. Even when matches were held in Pakistan, test match crowd next to nothing. What's the point of having more test matches if majority of the fan base isn't even going to tune in.

 

[MMHS]

90% of our nation likes ODIs and T20s more. Even when matches were held in Pakistan, test match crowd next to nothing. What's the point of having more test matches if majority of the fan base isn't even going to tune in.

Then why are you arguing for the sake of it?

Most PAK people outside PP won't even notice if PAK plays a Boxing Day Test in SAF; but it'll be highly entertaining ODI series. The argument here is that if it's Test, there should be proper preparation, preferably at least 2 Tests in it; otherwise ODI is better. Also, PAK - SRL Series starts with Test, so it's like 2 Tests, 5 ODI, 3 T20; BPL/GTL/NTL; 1 Test; 5 ODI, 3 T20; PSL .......

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A PCB official has denied that Pakistan will be playing a one-off Test match on Boxing Day in South Africa <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/904765051940327426">September 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Mainul]

90% of our nation likes ODIs and T20s more. Even when matches were held in Pakistan, test match crowd next to nothing. What's the point of having more test matches if majority of the fan base isn't even going to tune in.

If international cricket returns to Pakistan again i think attitude of Pakistani people will definitely change. Test matches have become more competitive, result oriented. Just look at the recent test series-Australia vs Bangladesh, England vs West Indies, Australia vs India in India, Bangladesh vs Srilanka these test series of 2017 all were full of excitement didn't result in boring draw.Test matches have begun to draw more and more crowd.An exciting test match is more exciting than an ODI or T20.Here scenario change from session to session. Look at Bangladeshi crowd.They have gone in quiet a few number to see the ongoing series in Dhaka and Chittagong.Players are not disappointing them as they are also playing exciting cricket. There was a time when there was a proverb about Faisalabaad cricket stadium that Faisalabaad me faisala nehi hota.such was a dead flat track it was. People lost interest in seeing batting paradise like this and boring draw.

Another thing is, fans may not like test cricket but it is the premium and original version of the game which brings out real talented and skillful players.So as a cricketing board you have to patronize this version of the game.Pakistan now play tests only in neutral venue and abroad.So,there is no fault in playing more tests.

 

[Hamza_]

If international cricket returns to Pakistan again i think attitude of Pakistani people will definitely change. Test matches have become more competitive, result oriented. Just look at the recent test series-Australia vs Bangladesh, England vs West Indies, Australia vs India in India, Bangladesh vs Srilanka these test series of 2017 all were full of excitement didn't result in boring draw.Test matches have begun to draw more and more crowd.An exciting test match is more exciting than an ODI or T20.Here scenario change from session to session. Look at Bangladeshi crowd.They have gone in quiet a few number to see the ongoing series in Dhaka and Chittagong.Players are not disappointing them as they are also playing exciting cricket. There was a time when there was a proverb about Faisalabaad cricket stadium that Faisalabaad me faisala nehi hota.such was a dead flat track it was. People lost interest in seeing batting paradise like this and boring draw.

Another thing is, fans may not like test cricket but it is the premium and original version of the game which brings out real talented and skillful players.So as a cricketing board you have to patronize this version of the game.Pakistan now play tests only in neutral venue and abroad.So,there is no fault in playing more tests.

Indeed test cricket has become exciting

 

[CanadianG00se]

If international cricket returns to Pakistan again i think attitude of Pakistani people will definitely change. Test matches have become more competitive, result oriented. Just look at the recent test series-Australia vs Bangladesh, England vs West Indies, Australia vs India in India, Bangladesh vs Srilanka these test series of 2017 all were full of excitement didn't result in boring draw.Test matches have begun to draw more and more crowd.An exciting test match is more exciting than an ODI or T20.Here scenario change from session to session. Look at Bangladeshi crowd.They have gone in quiet a few number to see the ongoing series in Dhaka and Chittagong.Players are not disappointing them as they are also playing exciting cricket. There was a time when there was a proverb about Faisalabaad cricket stadium that Faisalabaad me faisala nehi hota.such was a dead flat track it was. People lost interest in seeing batting paradise like this and boring draw.

Another thing is, fans may not like test cricket but it is the premium and original version of the game which brings out real talented and skillful players.So as a cricketing board you have to patronize this version of the game.Pakistan now play tests only in neutral venue and abroad.So,there is no fault in playing more tests.

Test cricket maybe exciting here and there but it still not followed by masses and never will. Nobody got time to sit in front of TV or in stadium and watch tuk tuk

There is a reason why most boards are reducing number of test matches per series to minimise the loss and earn more through ODI/T20.

I do agree that some of the test matches this season have been interesting but the numbers are far too less. On the other hand majority of the games have been one sided yawnfest #IndvSL. Even Eng v SA series was one sided affair.

 

[Mainul]

Test cricket maybe exciting here and there but it still not followed by masses and never will. Nobody got time to sit in front of TV or in stadium and watch tuk tuk

There is a reason why most boards are reducing number of test matches per series to minimise the loss and earn more through ODI/T20.

I do agree that some of the test matches this season have been interesting but the numbers are far too less. On the other hand majority of the games have been one sided yawnfest #IndvSL. Even Eng v SA series was one sided affair.

Not here and there dude,it is happening quiet often now.Look at the series deciding test against West Indies which Pakistan won in the last ball.2nd test against England vs Bangladesh in which England was 100/0 chasing 271 and got all out for 165.first test in UAE West Indies vs Pakistan when West Indies fought back hard and almost won.These are recent matches.Just like this many matched gone to the wire which i just can't remember now.
India, England, Australia are still playing 4 or test match series.They usually don't play 2 off tests.it is Pakistan and Bangladesh particularly these 2 countries play too less number of test matches. Test cricket can't be seen in a way of tuk tuk,4s and 6 s.Less scoring matches are more attractive.many many ODIs and T20S are one sided ,but people are watching because they hope for thrilling finishes.

 

[Buffet]

No harm in dreaming.Pakistan is supposed to loose by innings margin in SA.

It's again a stupid decision by PCB.As MMHS mentioned it's a suicide approch by not playing any practice match before the test match.And it's a one off test.Its ridiculous how a team like Pakistan having a glorious cricket history approch test cricket.They play one off test,2 test series! And they have played highest T20s,more than any country even more than India!!!

Aus, SA, Eng, NZ, SL, WI all have played more T20s than India so using India as a benchmark is not meaningful. But Pakistan has played substantially more T20s than other countries. No other team has played 100+ T20 and Pakistan has played 114.

 

[MMHS]

Aus, SA, Eng, NZ, SL, WI all have played more T20s than India so using India as a benchmark is not meaningful. But Pakistan has played substantially more T20s than other countries. No other team has played 100+ T20 and Pakistan has played 114.

The only reason that IND has played less T20 than others & PAK probably not reaching 170 now is that there is no IND-PAK bilateral & PCB's relation with 3 other joke Board (WICB, AfCB, BCB) isn't great when it comes to hosting T20s at home in PAK - otherwise PAK would have played probably less Test than BD & more T20 than the next 2 teams combined.

More than anything else, history gives the biggest clue - when SRL & ZIM were allocated 2 Test Series; PCB decided to give ENG practice for 2 Tests, before 2001 Ashes, with a team that had these 15 in squad -

Anwar, YK, Inzi, MoYo, Wasim, Waquar, Shoaib, Razzak, Mehmood, Saqline, Mushtaq, Latif, Afridi, Moin & probably Sohail.

Number of Test in a series is a status symbol - posters who think that it's because of financials, should know that T20 started in around 2006 - by that time PCB has already played 2 Test series with ENG, SAF, WI & SRL.