I'm not a fan of Twenty20. I'm not really fussed about one-day cricket at all, in fact. But if both formats are here to say in some form, IPL window or not, then sooner or later action will have to be taken about players choosing their formats. Comparing the IPL to World Series Cricket is a little tricky, but players are beginning to pick their sides and their cricket boards are still having to play catch-up. The big argument against allowing players to pick and choose is that it will cause a 'brain drain' of players to the shorter formats, with their huge pay cheques and quick rise to fame. The solution is for national boards to pay their players incrementally according to the format, with Test players earning the highest amount, followed by ODI squad members and finally T20 players. Those involved in T20 will still benefit from sponsorship deals, and their careers will be lengthened by not having to balance other commitments. This recommendation is among the more fanciful on this list, but it would help to reiterate the importance of Test cricket on a financial level. It would also remove selfish mercenaries from the Test arena, preserving the spirit of the game against the materialistic spirit of our age. England could pioneer this kind of system which, if successful, would prevent a lot of future disputes between players and boards, and both England and the wider game would be better for it.
Freelance copywriter, film buff, community radio presenter. Former host of The Movie Hour podcast (http://www.lionheartradio.com/ and click 'Interviews'), currently presenting on Phonic FM in Exeter (http://www.phonic.fm/). Other loves include theatre, music and test cricket.
