22-06-2017, 20:18
Yeah, home matches for Afghanistan are a no-go, but then we've had that for years with Pakistan; they'll be welcome on tour nevertheless.
Excellent news, even if it's come a few years too late for Ireland really, but then it's an incentive for them to produce more young players. Could now do with some real drive from the ICC to get a two-tier league/ranking system in order: let Ireland, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Windies and Bangladesh compete against one another regularly with good financial rewards for players to keep Test cricket as the ultimate aspiration over ODIs and T20s. Give them occasional short series against the major Test nations so they have chance to improve further, and promotion/relegation every two years or so for the highest "minor" nation and the lowest "major" nation so there's something at stake for all.
Excellent news, even if it's come a few years too late for Ireland really, but then it's an incentive for them to produce more young players. Could now do with some real drive from the ICC to get a two-tier league/ranking system in order: let Ireland, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Windies and Bangladesh compete against one another regularly with good financial rewards for players to keep Test cricket as the ultimate aspiration over ODIs and T20s. Give them occasional short series against the major Test nations so they have chance to improve further, and promotion/relegation every two years or so for the highest "minor" nation and the lowest "major" nation so there's something at stake for all.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley