Ireland coach backs two-tier split of Test cricket nations

Dublin (Ireland), Jan.26 : Ireland coach Phil Simmons believes a two-tier split of Test-playing nations could be the future.

Former West Indies star Simmons, who joined Ireland as coach in 2007 and has agreed a new deal until the end of next year, believes the Test format must expand and welcome associate nations.
One way that could be achieved would be to split the highest ranked Test sides from the lower ones, increasingly competitiveness along the way.
The Mirror quoted him, as saying: "We don't know what is going to happen in the next few years where Test cricket is concerned, but all of us believe this goal is a possibility."
He added: "It's not for us to second guess things but I think something like a two-tier system would be great. It is our job to prepare and if it comes to be ready for it."
immons further said: "You could have the top six Test teams and then the bottom four as well as one or two of us (associates) all playing "I think we owe it to cricket to keep expanding because if we keep it as such a small group then it will die."
One of the ICC's major challenges is to provide new context to Test cricket in a bid to tackle diminishing attendances.
A World Test championship has been discussed but has now been deferred until 2017 at the earliest, and Simmons believes a two-tier system could help provide that context.
"If you add promotion and relegation over a given cycle, then teams have to play hard all the time. You can't just lose a series and say it is alright. Look at the Premier League, the biggest sports league in the world, where people are always playing for something."

Injured Pattinson hopes to be fighting fit for upcoming ODI tri-series

Melbourne, Jan 27: Australian pacer James Pattinson has expressed hope that he will get completely fit to play in the upcoming One- Day International tri-series.

Pattinson said that he had started running again and should be fit to resume bowling in the One-Day International series against India and Sri Lanka, which starts on February 5.
"I've been back doing swimming and bike riding and all that sort of stuff over the last three weeks, so I'll have a week of running and then I'll get back into bowling," The Age quoted Pattinson, as saying.
"At the moment we're looking to the start of the one-day series with a bit of luck, and obviously I'll go from there. Hopefully it holds up," he added.
Pattinson was ruled out of the last two Tests against India due a stress-related foot injury similar to that sustained by his team-mate Pat Cummins.
He had sustained his injury during the Sydney Test against India, which Australia won by an innings and 68 runs.
Pattinson admitted that it was difficult for him to sit out of the remainder of the series after being a key player for two matches.
But he took comfort that Australia is performing well, which has only made him hungrier to play for the side.