NEU » and I think they got a try off the back

While expressing differing views on the ICCs decision to withdraw the proposal for two-tier Test cricket, Full Member boards welcomed the discussions opened up at Wednesdays chief executives meeting on ways to sustain the longest format of the game. Thilanga Sumathipala, the SLC president, called for boards to market Test cricket more vigorously, and suggested four-day Tests as a step towards increasing the excitement around the format.[Withdrawing the two-tier proposal is] a very wise decision as far as SLC is concerned, Sumathipala said. Its going to give us more time to revisit and to see how, while we are maintaining our top 10 Test-playing nations, we could allow emerging Test-playing nations to join, while making sure that the tournament effect is taking place. Were going forward together in this. Im happy with the new line of thinking, and Im happy we are not pursuing the seven-five two-tier system. Explaining SLCs opposition to the two-tier system, Sumathipala spoke of how hard Sri Lanka had fought to achieve Test status.Test status was a hard-earned status for us, he said. We were ICC champions in 1979. Weve played more than 100 years of cricket - Test status didnt come to any of us overnight. We gained it through sheer hard work. The game has a challenge to face, but we should look at the economic and commercial side of things.Sumathipala emphasised the need to engage and entertain fans, and suggested that four-day Tests were a better idea to enhance the appeal and commercial viability of the longest format.Our thinking is that we need more effort to sustain Test cricket in the decades to come, he said. We have to invest into the game. We have to bring some fan-engagement programmes where we can keep interest going. Sustainability is in the hands of the fans. They need to have entertainment in following the game.The floodlit, pink-ball Tests have been somewhat successful. We can improve from there. We can play four-day cricket, starting on Thursday, which allows the games to come to a climax over the weekend, when people can watch. Then after three days travel and rest, the players can start the next Test on a Thursday as well. They can play 95 or 100-over days. Therell be more excitement. There will be interest and commercial viability. Thats what we believe.The BCCI has consistently opposed the two-tier proposal, and its president Anurag Thakur reiterated his view that splitting the game into two divisions would hurt smaller boards.I am thankful to the members of the ICC who understood our viewpoint and agreed to take this proposal off the table, Thakur told PTI. As one of the key stakeholders in world cricket, BCCI would continue to have an inclusive approach and ensure that everyones interests and the growth of cricket isnt compromised.We want to grow the game and take it to new pastures and will not allow any step which can shrink the popularity and development of the game.James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, had urged boards to look at the big picture of the two-tier proposal, and see it as a means to bring more structure and context to Test cricket. While the proposal was shelved, Sutherland was confident the discussions initiated at the meeting would pave way for an improved model for bilateral cricket.Cricket Australia welcomes the progress made in discussions with other member countries in Dubai this week, he said. The workshop provided a forum for all views to be heard and discussed - and for members to work together to build an improved model for bilateral cricket played between nations. More important than anything, we are confident that the additional structure and context proposed for each of the three formats will significantly enhance crickets offering to fans across the globe.Our thoughts on the need for change are well known and we are optimistic that all member countries are open to meaningful improvements that will support an even more successful and sustainable future for international cricket.Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the BCB chief executive, has been one of the primary opponents of the two-tier system. He thanked the ICC for taking it off the table.We are delighted we could convince other members of the negative impact it would have on Bangladesh cricket, Chowdhury said. I thank them for understanding our situation. I also want to thank the ICC management for organising this workshop. The two-tier system is off the table, and we will now discuss the future structure of cricket in the coming days.ESPNcricinfo understands, meanwhile, that the PCB had been in support of the two-tier proposal, in a bid to add context to their bilateral agreements with various countries. The board also believed the system would have given Pakistan increased opportunities to play competitive series against strong teams, and that this would have heightened interest in Test cricket back home. With bilateral series against certain teams not attracting lucrative broadcast deals, the PCB had hoped a two-tier system would have helped raise the commercial profile of Test cricket. Cheap Nike KD 8 Shoes . The home side created most of the chances but struggled to break down Braunschweigs resilient defence, resulting in the Bundesligas 1,000th scoreless draw. 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NRL referee Ben Cummins has once again found himself in the firing line after Paul Green launched an attack on the whistleblower in the wake of North Queenslands 16-8 loss to Melbourne.After being on the end of Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinsons infamous ANZAC Day spray, Cummins was once again accused on disrespectful behaviour by the Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium on Saturday night.The Cowboys complained of being blow off when approaching the decorated official for an explanation and the Storm being given the benefit of a host of contentious calls.There were a number of 50-50 calls that didnt go our way, Green said.There was a lot of discussion earlier in the year from the Roosters coach Trent Robinson about the way the head ref Ben Cummins engages with players.I thought there was probably evidence of that again tonight.I thought we were entitled to query some of those decisions, particularly when you see the replays.While Greens post-match comments lacked the venom of Robinsons tirade, he is facing the prospect of a fine given his comments could be interpreted as an attack on Cummins credibility.There were a couple of contentious calls there, which I cann cop, as long as they go both ways, Green said.ddddddddddddJimmy Tamou was penalised there for a Cameron Smith error and from what I could see there was no way he was not square. That gives them field position and I think they got a try off the back of it.Javid Bowen plays the ball and clearly their foot is involved in that and yet they call a scrum.Theyre the calls. I dont think they evened out.Michael Morgan, when he got thrown into touch, if that had been the tryline and they had picked him back and thrown him into the in-goal, it would have been a different decision.Again, Im not here to whinge about refs decisions.Cowboys stand-in skipper Matt Scott echoed Greens frustrations, saying the rub of the green went Melbournes way.A couple of the calls that I thought were incorrect, you look at the replays and you see a foot hit the ball out of Jango (Bowen)s hand, Scott said.Im asking `shouldnt he be allowed room to play in the ruck? And Im just getting blown off.Thats a bit hard to cop when I see the replays showing Im correct. ' ' '