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[alexhilly1492]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/40364481

[northernboy1987]

For the future of the sport I think it's a great idea to get more nations involved in test match cricket but can you imagine the look on Brian Lara's face when Martin Guptill racks up 500 off 300 balls on a road at the Cake Tin against a weak Ireland attack, does have the potential to devalue certain records and achievements but such is life.



Nothing against Martin Guptill and I realise there's never (to my knowledge) been a test match played at the Cake Tin but you get my point

[LBWCandidate]

Good news. At some point, more teams have to be brought into the fold especially when there is cricket following in those countries. Hopefully, this brings some happiness to war torn Afganistan.

[northernboy1987]

Good news. At some point, more teams have to be brought into the fold especially when there is cricket following in those countries. Hopefully, this brings some happiness to war torn Afganistan.

Well said. Plus who wouldn't want to see that Rashid Khan lad bowling on a 5th day bunsen!

[tushar sehgal]

I suspect this will pave way for tiered test system, with big 3 playing each other and rest except 1 or 2 playing in div 2...good to have Ireland and Afg as test nations but i suspect there is a lot more to it than promoting countries for good cricket and good of cricket...

No offense to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but countries got their status to increase the strength of Asian Bloc at ICC (Votes) I guarantee you this is similar....maybe i am too paranoid

[edge]

Well said. Plus who wouldn't want to see that Rashid Khan lad bowling on a 5th day bunsen!

Looking forward to him causing some chaos! The batsmen will have to take it to 5 days first though mind...

Superb news for the game regardless of how either team does initially, cricket should be looking to expand not close the doors! Obviously it'd be a bit pointless to arrange a 5 match Ireland-Australia series straight away, but never understood why test cricket is such a closed shop, the more teams playing it the better.

[potzy248]

Looking forward to him causing some chaos! The batsmen will have to take it to 5 days first though mind...

Superb news for the game regardless of how either team does initially, cricket should be looking to expand not close the doors! Obviously it'd be a bit pointless to arrange a 5 match Ireland-Australia series straight away, but never understood why test cricket is such a closed shop, the more teams playing it the better.

Different story bowling when no one is out and no pressure to score e.g. Rashid and Tahir...

[edge]

Different story bowling when no one is out and no pressure to score e.g. Rashid and Tahir...

Very true and obviously yet to see how he'll go in tests, but he did tear massive holes through England Lions in a first class game to be fair! Plus Adil and Tahir etc. are good bowlers, but averaging 15 or under in every format is something else, even if Afghanistan's opposition isn't always the strongest.

[potzy248]

Very true and obviously yet to see how he'll go in tests, but he did tear massive holes through England Lions in a first class game to be fair! Plus Adil and Tahir etc. are good bowlers, but averaging 15 or under in every format is something else, even if Afghanistan's opposition isn't always the strongest.

Yeah, sorry I didn't mean to suggest he wasn't up to it. I would think that his team will often be short of runs and therefore will be under the pump with no fielders out. I can't really think of a leg spinner over the last decade who has really done well in test cricket. Mishra maybe...

[edge]

Yeah, sorry I didn't mean to suggest he wasn't up to it. I would think that his team will often be short of runs and therefore will be under the pump with no fielders out. I can't really think of a leg spinner over the last decade who has really done well in test cricket. Mishra maybe...

Agree completely mate, although Afghanistan very rarely seem to get skittled out for really low scores even when playing ODIs against the big teams so let's hope they make a decent fist of tests. Would absolutely love to see both them and Ireland do well!

[Biggie Smalls]

Personally i love that Afghanistan and Ireland have joined the test ranks .
I'm  a little worried this might usher in a tier system too quickly though . I'm yet to see a proposed tier system that i fully like . I do however hope that we are closer to a test championship now ... that would be great .
One thing I'm curious about -
Pakistan play home games in u.a.e due to security concerns . If Afghanistan get to play their home games in Kabul etc then how are are Pakistan going to feel about this ? Either Afghanistan need to play at neutral venues too , or (my preference) test sides need to start touring Pakistan again .

[ljriley90]

Personally i love that Afghanistan and Ireland have joined the test ranks .
I'm  a little worried this might usher in a tier system too quickly though . I'm yet to see a proposed tier system that i fully like . I do however hope that we are closer to a test championship now ... that would be great .
One thing I'm curious about -
Pakistan play home games in u.a.e due to security concerns . If Afghanistan get to play their home games in Kabul etc then how are are Pakistan going to feel about this ? Either Afghanistan need to play at neutral venues too , or (my preference) test sides need to start touring Pakistan again .

They do already. The Indian Board have given them a lease at a neutral base at the Greater Noida stadium. They have an Indian head coach too I believe.

I can see Afghanistan becoming big players test wise within 10 years. Rashid Khan will only be like 23 by then judging his Cricinfo profile photo

[Biggie Smalls]

As long as its  consistent between the two . I wonder what will happen when Afghanistan have a home series against Pakistan ?
Anyway , all this really means is that us Aussies have to tour u.k like conditions ( and get pumped by the swinging ball ) and tour India against a turning ball more often . This is good for oz cricket !