[m]

...test cricket?

After Gillespie's 200 against bangladesh one really has to ask the question whether Bangladesh are fit for test cricket. Jason Gillespie is a good bowler and a lower order batsmen who is capable of scoring a good knock against some class bowling attacks, but in reality I am sure anyone (even himself) could tell you that he is not a test double century man. Don't get me wrong it was probably a great knock by him. I just think all the statistics of test cricket could get fucked up if Bangladesh are continually allowed to play. Getting a double ton in test cricket was once a preserve of the best batsmen around I think I am right in saying that Alec Stewart, Mark Waugh amongst others never achieved this great feat. I think it is a mockery to past players when they had to play and work hard against class teams to achieve good career stats. This for me (as a pom) is what made the aussie team of the nineties and windies of the eighties so great, they beat everyone with good scores against decent sides and ended up with great averages. Ok they did give Australia a scare in the first test but I reckon this is because Australia probably did not get themselves geeed up enough because they knew that they could win easily. Get Bangladesh out of test cricket and start a second tier test ladder with Zimbabwe, Holland and Namibia until they are ready to play the better teams.

[m]

[JockO]

See what your saying but we need as many Test nations playing as poss.

Sri Lanka struggled alot for a few years when they first started but the're more than competent now.

The potential for Bangledesh is huge - massive population and cricket mad and i think they'll come good once they get in they're stride. They pushed the Aussies a bit in the first test and beat them in a one-dayer last summer so they've shown some potential against the best team in the world (although it pains me to say it).

You have to start somewhere - and averages have a way of evening out, I don't remember off the top of my head so I apologise if I'm wrong but didn't Warne struggle for wickets in the first test - so if even he can't pick up cheap cheap "gimme" wickets against the Banga's they must be doing at least something right

[nevis]

There is a second tier already -- all the non-testplaying nations can compete in a first class competition organised by the ICC, so they get experience of extended (4-day) cricket, without cramming further fixtures into the already-full Test schedule. I think Kenya recently drew with Holland if memory serves - Ryan ten Doeschate (Essex) got 150*....

[bstard]