[REPORT] The ICC's proposed schedules for the Test and ODI leagues released

[Markhor]

In a bid to add context to international cricket, ICC look set to approve Test and ODI leagues.

In the Test League - the top 9 nations will play a maximum of 12 Test series over four years. Each team will play 6 home series and 6 away in that timeframe. Each series must have a minimum of 2 Tests.

Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are not part of the League but they may organise Tests against each other and the other nine if they find space in the calendar.

 

[Rafa]

No India-Pakistan tests?

 

[Markhor]

In addition to the Test League, there will also be a new ODI League that'll involve 13 teams, each playing 8 opponents, across 2 years.

Each series will be capped at 3 matches. Countries can play more than 3 matches in a series but they won't gain points from those extra matches.

The ODI League positions will then determine qualifying for the World Cup.



The ICC Board will likely ratify these changes today, and a more detailed schedule and the specific rules for the League will be presented for October's ICC meeting.

 

[Markhor]

No India-Pakistan tests?

No India-Pakistan series in this Test and ODI League.

 

[kingusama92]

It says each series needs a minimum of two tests but no maximum.

How would the point system work then?

Ashes = 5 tests

PAK vs BANG = 2 tests

How are these series equalized in the rankings?

 

[ssuhaide]

A league is meaningless if all teams can't play each other. Shambolic idea

 

[Strike!]

No away tests for Pakistan in SA?

 

[b.lesner]

why playing more than 3 ODI in a series will not gain any points this is out of brains

 

[j_kazmi]

It says each series needs a minimum of two tests but no maximum.

How would the point system work then?

Ashes = 5 tests

PAK vs BANG = 2 tests

How are these series equalized in the rankings?

I think points would be given out based on who wins the test series rather than the winners of individual matches.

 

[DrSchultz]

why playing more than 3 ODI in a series will not gain any points this is out of brains

You get points from winning a series. Winning a 3 match series and 100 match series. There is no difference.

Otherwise teams will try to play more matches against weaker opponents.

 

[Markhor]

No away tests for Pakistan in SA?

Yeah as I look at the schedule not only Pakistan are not touring SA, but also Sri Lanka don't tour England, Pakistan don't host West Indies, India don't host Sri Lanka and New Zealand don't host England.

There may be a few more omissions.

I presume when this four year cycle ends, the next "cycle" will consist of the reverse fixtures between the teams who've only played each other once in the previous cycle.

 

[Fantasy]

There are some loopholes in this proposed model.Pak not playing India and Aus not playing NZ to name some.

How is this going to work though? At least 2 matches to be played in the series but they can extend that to more than 2,so those extra matches won't count?

 

[Syed1]

Why are they capping ODI series at 3 matches???

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Why are they capping ODI series at 3 matches???

Because of the less time available, also they can play more than 3 matches but 3 is the minimum number.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I don't like this schedule.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

Looks like we won't play ODIs with any of the south asian nations.

 

[Fantasy]

Also an important thing to remember here is out of 12 teams in ODIs they will just play with 8 teams in 2 years time frame.How is that going to work?

 

[aloo paratha]

It says each series needs a minimum of two tests but no maximum.

How would the point system work then?

Ashes = 5 tests

PAK vs BANG = 2 tests

How are these series equalized in the rankings?

You only gain points for 2 tests I think, any extra won't count towards the points.

 

[aloo paratha]

A bit skeptical on this but I mean I guess it's better than meaningless bilaterals.

 

[KingKhanWC]

ICC should have scheduled Pak V India series. By 2020 things could change, Pakistan and India having different governments who may approve bilateral matches.

It's all a bit confusing at the moment.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Why are they capping ODI series at 3 matches???

Because they are idiots. This system could easily have been done in 2014 during the Big 3 takeover. Fortunately, Indian SC tased the BCCI and the other 9 were able to take advantage and grab some fairness.

 

[Khwaja]

Too confusing to understand

 

[On_the_up]

If India cannot be forced to play Pakistan, then it's a farce.

Every team might as well pick and choose who they play themselves.

You can't have different rules for different teams.

 

[Rana]

Why exactly don't the human rights activists get involved with the continued out-casting of the Pakistan team from the BCCI? How long can they go on like this?

 

[On_the_up]

Complete hypocrisy, wont play bilateral series but very willing in the ICC tournaments.

The reason they give is that they will be docked points if they fail to play Pak.

If ICC had any balls, they should be docking points from India in the test rankings for refusing to play against any team.

 

[Rana]

I think PCB is very soon on the verge of throwing threats to the ICC as well, slowly getting there

 

[Markhor]

Also an important thing to remember here is out of 12 teams in ODIs they will just play with 8 teams in 2 years time frame.How is that going to work?

I'd assume similar to the Test league that you'd face the teams you haven't already played in the following cycle.

I preferred the original idea to have a 13 team league across 3 years where everybody plays each other at least once, with the exception of India/Pakistan.