Tossing the coin

[GVGjr]

There is some discussion around not having a toss of the coin for each test so that each side gets a fair run during a series and I think it's being linked with home sides doctoring pitches.

The aim would be that if you won the first coin toss then the other team would have their choice for the 2nd test.

I'd go with a different approach. Each team selects their 11 players with a 12th man named. For the side that losses the coin toss they get the opportunity to change their side if they so choose but it can only be for the originally nominated 12th man. That would give them a decent option to consider and even things up.

Thoughts?

[Webby]

Re: Tossing the coin

What, so that home curators know that the home team definitely has the call??

Because that won't result in juiced up wickets!!!

The coin toss has worked well in cricket for 300 years. The only issue is that modern batsmen have an inability to occupy the crease through tougher periods until conditions improve.

The second problem was that one M Clarke was too daft to choose to bowl at Trent Bridge... When his pace attack had previously destroyed England and an absolute green top awaited.

It's a silly, silly, silly debate!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tossing the coin

I don't understand the initial proposition at all.

Surely if the team batting first in each Test is predetermined many days before the game, from the 2nd Test onwards, the potential for pitch doctoring would only increase.

I would've thought the simplest solution would be to just allow the visiting team the choice of batting or bowling first in all cases.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Tossing the coin

Don't like it. The curators know exactly who the other tests batting or bowling first. Defies logic if this an issue. A lot of games tart with a coin toss, it's that chance and luck that is important in the mystery of sport.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Tossing the coin

Off topic slightly, but I've thought for years it would be a bit theatre to have a little test of skill rather than a purely random act at the start of a match. Sort of like a mini pre-match penalty shootout.

In cricket you could have 5 bowlers trying to hit the stumps. Penalty shoot out rules.

In footy you could have set shots from 50, first to miss 'loses the toss'.

Not a big deal, but more pre-game fun for the crowd than a coin toss.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Tossing the coin

I would've thought the simplest solution would be to just allow the visiting team the choice of batting or bowling first in all cases.

This is the suggestion that I heard. Would make sense to me as that would prevent the home side getting full advantage of any doctored pitch.

Would mean India probably needing to bat 4th on their pitches.

[1eyedog]

Re: Tossing the coin

Why doesn't each team just pick a dungeons and dragons character and a 20 sided dice and have at it until the others hit points are 0 and they're dead. Whoever dies loses the toss.

Just flip the coin. If its a raging green top the visiting team will take one look and work out where its at.

If they flip and win send em in and if they lose play to the conditions as best as you can. It would actually be refreshing to see some Australian batsmen show some grit and determination with the ball hooping about. If doctoring a pitch is to the home team's advantage then giving first choice to the visiting team is as well.

[Bornadog]

Re: Tossing the coin

I like the toss of the coin.

[Greystache]

Re: Tossing the coin

It probably highlights how poor the standard of Test cricket is in the world these days when we have to come up with zany ideas like this to make traveling sides more competitive.

How about playing some actual practice matches in the local conditions where you don't rest most of your key players instead of milking every dollar out of 15 ODI's and 44 T20 matches the month prior to the Test series starting. Perhaps the batsmen could actually apply themselves and graft out an innings until they're comfortable in the conditions too. Novel stuff I know, probably just easier to change the rules of the sport.

Perhaps the away team could have last man's tucker, or the captain gets a second chance if he gets out early. Maybe we could have one hand one bounce in the first innings?