The English Host

Monday the 19th saw the England and Wales Cricket Board meet with a host of captains and former captains of the national team, and a cabal of cricket executives and board members, to hash out to future of the country's summer sport in its five-day format. "I'm confident that there has never been such a gathering in the history of cricket in England and Wales," recorded Giles Clarke.

Amid unbridled discussion of Indian Leagues , points systems, fines and bans, the cadre of echelons-beyond-reality debated the idea of a neutral nation, England, hosting Tests between two other Test playing countries. It's an interesting notion, but to some avid cricket fans, particularly those entrenched into the game from decades past, it might not feel quite right.

Let’s have a look. There are several positives, many of which were brought up at the meeting itself. Primarily, of particular importance to the most dedicated fans among us, there is more Test cricket. God forbid there will ever be a horror akin to the loss of Test cricket that we may have to endure.

A greater number of matches played in England means more cricket on English sports channels, at English times of day, hosted and commentated by our favorite grounds and iconic commentating legends.

There would be more national interest in the game, perhaps the fever of 2005 might be previously unthinkable heights now easily climbed. In particular, the Pakistani and Indian communities of this country may take greater enjoyment in seeing their respective home countries battle it out on their doorsteps.

Not only national interest, but international would be peaked, perhaps the ICC will take greater notice of England as the host of future international cricket competitions.

There are the obvious bonuses as well. Test cricket is lucrative, more money and greater attendance at the ground can only lubricate the cogs of our hallowed cricket institutions, and the ECB’s current four-year £300 million contract with Sky would only become more profitable, ensuring prosperity among cricket organizations and continued enjoyment by us, the home viewers.

With the added fillip of more Tests, one might even foresee growth in the number of top-flight grounds in England, with grounds such as Taunton climbing the ladder through renovations to become international grounds, following in the recently trudged footsteps of Cardiff.

It isn’t all as rose tinted as this, however. Those who balk at the very idea of a South African captain for the English national team are likely to repute several arteries at the thought of neutral Test hosting, and while the majority who think themselves freer of mind may dismiss such thinking as archaic, one must recall that a number of these individuals hold fairly influential positions in the world of cricket.Do not expect such changes to go through without protest.

Furthermore, while many are unhappy with the "minnow" situation as it is, others take issue at the ECB’s statement that the marginalization of teams such as Bangladesh and Zimbabwe would be conducive to their development rather than disruptive. This is a much debated issue, particularly given the impressive performances of the Tigers in recent past.

There is a shade of change covering the world of cricket this very day, and the results that lie beyond such uncertainty will make interesting viewing. The loss of Test cricket would be a disaster, it is the very definition of the sport if this writer may opine. The very fact that the ECB would meet to contemplate taking such actions is both a reassurance and a shock, for it verifies the plight in which Test cricket may be finding itself.

The  longer form of the game still holds its audience in the grips of strategic, battling dominance of one side over the other, batsman and bowler pitting their wits againt their opponents, however tame draws and quicker formats of cricket are drawing away more and more of the crowd.

These neutral Tests might be the tonic needed to inject some life into the game. It is unfathomable that Twenty20 cricket, however colourful and exciting, may overtake and eradicate the five-day format, surely?