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They seem to forget however that this whole argument and "mission" only came about when the ICC themselves were the ones who shifted attention away from Tests in favour of 20/20. ODIs, as we know it, is a dead-man walking. It is only a matter of time...
Perhaps all this is inevitable? Since the game went professional, and with its development accelerated by the IPL (an epoch shift if there ever was one), it has always been about the bottom line.
Don't let the ICC fool you into thinking they are doing this for the benefit of fans and players: they don't give a damn about the little people, because that would get in the way of making a quick buck.
The ICC in this piece might be being judged unfairly, since this author admits his view is biased. But damn it, it just ain't cricket, and the ICC are determined to make sure it becomes just that. They created the problem which suits their motives conveniently, though no one seems to acknowledge that.
The BCCI are also to blame, since from this author's perspective, they don't give a fig about Test matches and fathered Lalit Modi and the IPL concept (after someone else beat them to the punch). That in itself is an injustice to the Indian fans, who have proven to be incredibly passionate and, more importantly, knowledgeable of the game in understanding its little quirks.
To take away Test cricket, the tea breaks, the sessions, the subtle changes in momentum, is to pull the carpet from under the game so that the body becomes a smooth vessel for currency to run over it.
The ICC be damned. Maybe my views will change if the future becomes the present, but right now many supporters, including this one, know where they stand: if it ain't broken, don't fix it.
Long live Test cricket, the true measure of cricketing ability.
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