Story Super Test Series

[ScottyEvil]

The ICC announced today that Australia would be taking part in a new Super Test Series. It has been revealed that the series will be held in three different countries, and will run over several weeks. In a statement released by the ICC today:

"A new Super Test Series is about to be introduced into the international season. Three teams will be taking part in the tournament; Australia, India and England. Each team will play each other twice, in test matches. Each team will play each other once at home, and then once away. For instance, India will first play Australia in Sydney, and then will play them again in Mumbai. We hope that this new concept will intrigue the public and will allow them to enjoy test cricket played at a new level."

Several teams, such as Pakistan and South Africa were being considered for the third role in the series, but it was eventually given to India. The ICC announced that the series will be decided on points after each team has played each other twice. Then a final will be played:

"We are trying to make Test cricket as interesting for the public as possible. We are arranging the series in a way similar to that of the World Series. Each team will play each other twice, with 5 points for a win, 1 point for a loss, 2 bonus points for winning by an innings or more, and 1 bonus point for losing by less than 50 runs, or less than 3 wickets. Once the teams have played each other twice, the top two teams will play each other in a 3 test series to determine the winner. This 3-test series will be played in the top team's home country."

We can exclusively reveal the fixtures of the tournament:

India vs. England; Kolkata ---- India win by 171 runs
India vs. Australia; Kolkata
England vs. Australia; Lords
England vs. India; Edgbaston
Australia vs. India; Sydney
Australia vs. England; WACA

The ICC revealed the following rules to be incorporated into the series:

"This series will be played through Cricket 2005, on hard setting, with the 2GB bat pack used. No AI patches or fielding patches will be used. All Australian games will be played by a user, with the other teams controlled by a computer. Bowling will be autoplayed. The user will bat all innings. The television host will change every match. The first match will be held by Channel 9, the second Sky Sports and so on. The finals series will be held by Channel 9, using the new overlay patch."

The Table so far:

 

[ScottyEvil]

What they said

Cricket Australia released a statement today regarding the new Super Test Series:

"We are very excited about this new prospect that is the Super Test Series. We hope that some interesting and exciting matches will be played here in Australia and in India and England. We hope that we can draw some large crowds to Sydney and to the WACA in Perth."

Ricky Ponting said of the upcoming Test Series:

"This is a very exciting new concept that has been developed by the ICC. England and ourselves have been great rivals for many years, and I hope that some great matches can develop. The pitches in India, England and Australia vary greatly, and so this should be a massive test for us."

Indian Cricket Control Board said:

"This is an exciting competition. We are happy to be a part of this new competition."

Surav Ganguly made his feelings known:

"We feel that we can definitely win this competition. If Laxman, Sehwag, Tendulkar and Dravid fire, then we can win this competition easily."

England Cricket Board released this quote:

"England is a world power in cricket. We are excited to be a part of this competition. Hopefully some interesting games will occur and we can give the crowd a competition to remember."

Michael Vaughan spoke of the upcoming series:

"The pitches in England definitely suit us more that anyone. If Freddy and Harmo fire, then we will be in with a huge chance to win this competition. Hopefully we can give the Aussies a run for their money."

Shaun Pollock on missing out:

"Obviously we are very disappointed about missing out on this very exciting new series. However, we feel that it will be better for us as a team regarding injuries and fitness if we do not play in this series. I, and the team are looking forward to some exciting games. My tip for the series is England."

 

[ScottyEvil]

Comments & Opinions

The ICC announced today that before squads are announced by the respective countries, comments, opinions and ideas from the public on this tournament will be accepted.

The ICC wishes to know what the public feels about this new competition.

The squads will be announced on the 5th of September by all competing teams in a special conference to be held in Sydney. Captains, vice-captains, head coahces and chairmans will be present.

The ICC also announced today that the television rights are falling on the shoulders of Sky Sports. All games will be shown live.

 

[ScottyEvil]

Your thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.
If not much interest is shown in this then I won't continue with it.

Thoughts and Opinions:
Who should play for Australia? India? England?
Was it wrong to pick India over other countries?

Please post.

 

[no_remorse28]

i like the idea and tait should be picked

 

[Ramz]

this shud be a great series.. cant wait for it

 

[ScottyEvil]

Thanks guys.

Squad for Australia will be announced tomorrow.

 

[nikish_a]

This is sounding a great series
it is a great idea

 

[ScottyEvil]

Australian Squad

The Australian squad to play India and England was announced today.

R. Ponting (c)
A.Gilchrist (wk)
S.Warne
S.Tait.
S.MacGill
S.Katich
N.Hauritz
M.Love
M.Kasprowicz
M.Hayden
M.Clarke
J.Langer
J.Gillespie
G.McGrath
D.Martyn
B.Lee
A.Bichel
M.North
S.Watson
M.Inness
G.Blewett

The squad of 20 held a few surprises - Inness and Hauritz the biggest. Selectors said:

"Inness has been playing great in First Class cricket lately, and we thought we'd give him a go in this competition. We added Nathan Hauritz because we felt that an extra spinner would be needed on the turning pitches in India."

Stay tuned for more updates, and the first match between England and India; starting tomorrow.

 

[MWaugh]

The Australian squad to play India and England was announced today.
N.Hauritz
M.Love
A.Bichel
M.Inness
G.Blewett

The squad of 20 held a few surprises - Inness and Hauritz the biggest. Selectors said:

i personally would have thought that love bichel and greg blewett were the biggest suprises. blewett hasnt come close to playing rep cricket for a long time now and love seems to have become quiet recently.

 

[ScottyEvil]

India vs. England

The game was played in Kolkata in warm conditions. England won the toss and elected to field on a dusty pitch. India played well to score 354, with Tendulkar top scoring with 90. England returned serve by crumbling to be all out for 183. India piled on the runs with another 240 being added before lunch on the third day. Ganguly top scored with 66. England added runs conservatively before Harbhajan and Kumble tore through their middle order, with three wickets each. England tumbled to be all out for 240 at 1:47pm on the fourth day. A win by a total of 171 runs. The win to India pushes them to the top of the table. The next game is between Australia and India on the same pitch.

What the captains said:

Michael Vaughan:
"We let them get off to a great first innings total, and then we fell over in the first innings. We had a lot of time to get the runs in the second innings but we weren't able to. Good luck to Australia in countering the spin from Harbhajan and Kumble."

Surav Ganguly:
"Sachin played a great innings and we all chipped in to get a decent first innings total. I was happy with the way that we played to get such a decisive win. We could have batted a little longer in the second innings, but the tail didn't wag."

Ricky Ponting:
"I watched the game on Sky Sports. We will have a lot of trouble attacking Sachin in our game. Hopefully we can use the pitch to our advantage however. Well done to India."

 

[ScottyEvil]

India vs. Australia @ Kolkata

The two squads to play each other were announced. They were as folows:

 

[MWaugh]

your missing gilchrist for some reason by the looks of it

 

[ScottyEvil]

India vs. Aus @ Kolkata

The two teams strode onto the pitch, both equally confident of the win. Australia elected to play two spinners, and gave youngster Inness a chance. Katich was dropped for the in form Hussey.

Ganguly called heads, and heads it was. He immediately chose to bat on the dusty pitch in the face of sweltering heat.

 

[ScottyEvil]

Missing Gilly?

Gilchrist decided against any publicity, so we cut his name off the squad list.

The screenshot didnt take the last two names for some reason. But meh.