[Cricket] GCF World Test Challenge season 14 - Scheduling

[Liventia]

Test Cricket — Season 14

• NSSport Cricket Discussion Thread
• Season 14 RP and results thread
• Season 13 scheduling thread
• Season 12 scheduling thread
• Ko-oren's guide to RPing cricket
• Wikipedia page on Test Cricket
• Explanation of how Test cricket works
• Beginner's Guide to Cricket

Welcome to the latest season of Test cricket on NationStates, now in its 14th edition. This is the scheduling thread for bilateral Test series – while there will be a league table, there is no set requirement that teams must play every other team. As such, league points will be averaged by the number of games played.

Fixtures must be scheduled for one of 10 set matchdays. Each fixture must be scheduled according to the following conditions:

• Tests must be scheduled in series of two to five matches, against the same opponent, in the same home country.
• There will be no one-off Test matches scheduled.
• Nations can only schedule one series with any given opponent.
• Puppets should be declared, and series should not be scheduled against one's own puppet.
• NEW NATIONS: New Test nations may schedule a MAXIMUM of FOUR matches (whether as a single four-test series, or two series of two games). This limit will be lifted once the nation participates actively in cricket RP to the satisfaction of the season's host.
  
  • This rule also applies to previous World T20 or ODI World Trophy participants making their Test debut.
  • This rule will also apply to all Affiliate Members, as Affiliate Members, by definition, have not met the standard for scheduling more Test matches.
  • Nations that have attained the rank of Associate Member or higher in previous GCF seasons, but are returning as Candidate Members (i.e. no longer ranked), are grandfathered past this rule.
• Tests must be scheduled for five in-character days, with one exception: upon agreement between both nations competing, one match in any given series may be scheduled as a four-day Test. Each nation may only schedule one four-day Test match per season, and this must be clearly stated when confirming the series.

Proposed matchdays (subject to change):
Matchweek 1 - 27 May
Quebec and Shingoryeo in The Kytler Peninsulae (1 of 2)
Baggieland in TJUN-ia (1 of 2)
Milchama in Darmen (1 of 3)
Liventia in Sharktail (1 of 2)
Krytenia in Ko-oren (1 of 2)

Matchweek 2 - 1 June
Quebec and Shingoryeo in The Kytler Peninsulae (2 of 2)
Baggieland in TJUN-ia (2 of 2)
Milchama in Darmen (2 of 3)
Liventia in Sharktail (2 of 2)
Krytenia in Ko-oren (2 of 2)

Matchweek 3 - 6 June
South Newlandia in The Plough Islands (1 of 3)
Milchama in Darmen (3 of 3)
The Kytler Peninsulae in Liventia (1 of 2)

Matchweek 4 - 11 June
Sylestone in Milchama (1 of 4)
Darmen in Ko-oren (1 of 3)
South Newlandia in The Plough Islands (2 of 3)
Lisander & Alice Bay in Murren (1 of 2)
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Baggieland (1 of 3)
The Kytler Peninsulae in Liventia (2 of 2)
TJUN-ia in Sharktail (1 of 2)

Matchweek 5 - 16 June
Sylestone in Milchama (2 of 4)
Darmen in Ko-oren (2 of 3)
South Newlandia in The Plough Islands (3 of 3)
Lisander & Alice Bay in Murren (2 of 2)
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Baggieland (2 of 3)
TJUN-ia in Sharktail (2 of 2)

Matchweek 6 - 21 June
Sylestone in Milchama (3 of 4)
Darmen in Ko-oren (3 of 3)
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Baggieland (3 of 3)
Murren in TJUN-ia (1 of 2)

Matchweek 7 - 26 June
Sylestone in Milchama (4 of 4)
Ko-oren in The Plough Islands (1 of 2)
Darmen in Quebec and Shingoryeo (1 of 2)
Murren in TJUN-ia (2 of 2)

Matchweek 8 - 1 July
Baggieland in Liventia (1 of 3)
Ko-oren in The Plough Islands (2 of 2)
Darmen in Quebec and Shingoryeo (2 of 2)
South Newlandia in Sylestone (1 of 3)

Matchweek 9 - 6 July
Milchama in Quebec and Shingoryeo (1 of 2)
Baggieland in Liventia (2 of 3)
The Plough Islands in Krytenia (1 of 2)
Ko-oren in TJUN-ia (1 of 2)
South Newlandia in Sylestone (2 of 3)
Murren in Darmen (1 of 2)
Lisander and Alice Bay in The Cannaland Islands (1 of 2)

Matchweek 10 - 11 July
Milchama in Quebec and Shingoryeo (2 of 2)
Baggieland in Liventia (3 of 3)
The Plough Islands in Krytenia (2 of 2)
Ko-oren in TJUN-ia (2 of 2)
South Newlandia in Sylestone (3 of 3)
Murren in Darmen (2 of 2)
Lisander and Alice Bay in The Cannaland Islands (2 of 2)

GCF 1000th Test Celebration - 16 July
GCF World All-Star XI in Darmen (1 of 1)

This is not a traditional signup thread.
To enter, Put your match invitations in this thread or do it by telegram. A series will be added to the schedule when both nations have confirmed the same in this thread including dates to be played and host nation. Matches in a series must be played consecutively. Matches outside the GCF Test framework, such as bilateral ODIs, T20s, or tour matches, may, of course, take place during these series, irrespective of Test match scheduling.

There will be no WTC Final this season, due to the 1000th Test celebration.

Do not indicate ground modifiers here. Once a series has been confirmed for the calendar, and when the RP thread is posted, you may indicate all ground modifiers for your home matches in that thread.

[Liventia]

Pre-season 14 GCF Test Rankings

Full Members                       Score  Pts/MP  Adjusted
 1 Liventia			 FM  120 (3386/28)  110.46
 2 Ko-oren			 FM  118 (3558/30)  109.30
 3 Darmen			 FM  111 (3247/29)  105.98
 4 Milchama                      FM  106 (3097/29)  103.40
 5 The Plough Islands		 FM   99 (2696/27)   99.93
 6 Eura			         FM   97 (1951/20)   98.78
 7 TJUN-ia                       FM   95 (2378/25)   97.56
 8 Krytenia			 FM   92 (2509/27)   96.46
 9 Sylestone			 FM   88 (3189/36)   94.29
10 Sajnur			 FM   80 (1522/19)   90.05
11 Quebec and Shingoryeo         FM   77 (1479/19)   88.92
12 Baggieland                    FM   72 (794/11)    86.09
13 Sharktail                     FM   64 (771/12)    82.13

Associate Members
Currently none

Affiliate Members
 1 Lozho			 AF   81 (324/4)     96.00
 2 Elmyia			 AF   67 (402/6)     89.00
 3 StrayaRoos                    AF   47 (334/7)     79.00
 4 Eastfield Lodge	         AF   38 (652/17)    74.18

Inactive Members/CTE
 1 The Grearish Union	         FM  132 (2249/17)  116.15
 2 Gruenberg                     FM  120 (4234/35)  110.50
 3 Uncertainty		         FM  111 (1443/13)  105.50
 4 Teusland		         FM  104 (1045/10)  102.25
 5 The Licentian Isles	         FM   98 (1080/11)   99.09
 6 Lisander		         FM   73 (739/10)    86.95
 7 Ethane		         FM   65 (785/12)    82.71
 8 Brookstation                  FM   59 (597/10)    79.85
 9 Bollonich                     FM   57 (803/14)    78.68
10 Barunia                       AS   82 (740/9)     97.00
11 Damukuni                      AF  147 (1033/7)   118.79
12 Northwest Kalactin	         AF  117 (351/3)    103.50
13 Britland                      AF   70 (210/3)     90.00
14 Kiltoch                       AF   51 (153/3)     81.00
15 Pratapgadh		         AF   48 (681/14)    79.32
16 The Sarian                    AF   38 (230/6)     75.00
17 Garbelia                      AF   33 (200/6)     72.00

The GCF Season

1. Each GCF season runs for a period decided by the season host. The schedule must afford each nation the opportunity to schedule at least ten Test matches, one per scorination period. (There is no maximum number of Tests.)
2. Each nation may have at most one Test scheduled per scorination period (matchday). Determination of home ground is up to the nations who agree to play.
3. Nations are strongly encouraged to schedule series of two or more consecutive Tests with the same host nation instead of one-offs. Nations are not allowed to schedule home-and-away series or two or more one-offs in the same season with the same opponent.

The GCF Rankings

4. Definitions

• One-off Test: Any Test not part of a series. One-off results are added to ratings of Full Members and Associate Members immediately; for Candidates the results are held until qualification for Associate Member status and then added in.
• Series: Two, three or more consecutive Tests between the same parties and played in the same host nation. Results for both the series and all constituent Tests are added into ratings only after the series is complete.
• Match: All Tests and all series are considered matches. A one-off Test is one match. A two-Test series is three matches; a three-Test series, four matches.
• Full Member (FM): A nation calendared in the current Test season that has accumulated 10 or more matches, counting this season and the two most recent completed seasons, and is not an Affiliate Member.
• Associate Member (AS): A nation calendared in the current Test season that has completed at least one series but does not yet meet the standard for Full Member, and is not an Affiliate Member.
• Affiliate Member (AF): A nation calendared in the current Test season that has completed at least one series, but has not been allowed to schedule more than five Tests due to roleplaying restrictions.
  Affiliate Members can be promoted to Associate Members; once Associate Membership is obtained, the nation will retain Associate or Full Membership while active unless there is insufficient RP in a season in which they have scheduled matches for at least half the available matchweeks, in which case the nation will be demoted to Affiliate Membership. Returning Associate or Full Members will start at Candidate level, but bypass Affiliate status once the appropriate criteria are met.
• Candidate (CA): A nation calendared in the current Test season that has yet to complete a series.
• Competitors in the most recent complete season that have not calendared in the current Test season are coded IN for Inactive, or CE if their federation has Ceased to Exist. Records are maintained for a possible return to activity.

5. A Candidate has a adjusted rating of 100 for scorination purposes, and will have a calculated rating of 80 for rankings calculation purposes.
6. When rating one nation in a series, if their opponent is rated (calculated rating) more than 40 points higher/lower at the start of the series then the ranking formula in Clauses 9 and 10 below apply and the ranking formula in Clause 8 below does not apply.
7. A Match win (including a Series win) will count as one series point and a Match draw (including a Series draw) will count as half a series point for ranking calculation purposes.
8. The rating points earned by one nation in a series (or a one-off), where both nations are rated (calculated rating) within 40 points of each other, equal the team's series points multiplied by the opponent's calculated rating plus 50, plus the opponent's series points multiplied by the opponent's calculated rating minus 50.

Example: Four-Test series, A (rated 125) in B (rated 90). A wins Tests 1 and 4, B wins Test 2, and Test 3 is drawn.

Team A has 3.5 series points (two Tests and one series won, one Test drawn). Team B has 1.5 series points (one Test won, one Test drawn).

Team A gets 3.5*(90+50)+1.5*(90-50) = 490+60 = 550 rating points.
Team B gets 1.5*(125+50)+3.5*(125-50) = 262.5+262.5 = 525 rating points.

9. The rating points earned by one nation in a series (or a one-off), where that nation is rated (calculated rating) more than 40 points higher than its opponent, equal the team's series points multiplied by the team's own calculated rating plus 10, plus the opponent's series points multiplied by the team's own calculated rating minus 90.
10. The rating points earned by one nation in a series (or a one-off), where that nation is rated (calculated rating) more than 40 points lower than its opponent, equal the team's series points multiplied by the team's own calculated rating plus 90, plus the opponent's series points multiplied by the team's own calculated rating minus 10.

Example: Four-Test series, A (rated 125) in B (rated 70). A wins Tests 1 and 4, B wins Test 2, and Test 3 is drawn.

Team A has 3.5 series points (two Tests and one series won, one Test drawn). Team B has 1.5 series points (one Test won, one Test drawn).

Team A gets 3.5*(125+10)+1.5*(125-90) = 472.5+52.5 = 525 rating points.
Team B gets 1.5*(70+90)+3.5*(70-10) = 240+210 = 450 rating points.

11. An Associate or Affiliate Member whose calculated rating is above 100 averages the calculated rating with 90, rounding towards 100; an Associate or Affiliate Member whose calculated rating is below 100 averages the calculated rating with 110, rounding towards 100.
12. All Full Members average their calculated rating with 100, for their adjusted rating.
13. A four-step procedure is used to update ratings.

• a. Add the rating points for each nation to their previous total.
• b. Add the number of matches played to that previous total.
• c. Divide the new rating points total by the updated number of matches to get an updated calculated rating.
• d. Average the calculated rating with the required constant as specified in Clauses 11 and 12 above, producing an adjusted rating correct to two decimal places for Full Members and rounded towards 100 for Associate and Affiliate Members.

14. Ratings are based on data from the current season and and the two immediately preceding complete seasons. At the end of each season all older results are purged and ratings recalculated accordingly.
15. Scorination will be done using each team's adjusted rating.

The League standings
16. League points will be awarded as follows: 16 points for a win, 8 for a draw or a tie, an additional 2 points for a first-innings lead or 1 point for a first-innings tie, 1 bonus point for a win by 10 wickets or an innings. This has changed from previous seasons (old system: 9 for a tie, 5 for a draw, 4 for first-innings lead, 2 for first-innings tie).
17. To qualify for the final League standings, teams must play a minimum of one home and one away series, and a minimum of six matches (not including series). Teams that play at least six matches but all at home or all away shall not be eligible for the final League standings.
18. To account for the different number of matches each team may play, the final total – not including bonus points – will be averaged by the number of matches played. This does not include series (unlike when tabulating the rankings, which do count series as matches). Bonus points are to be added after the average. Points will be rounded to the nearest 0.1 point. Teams tied on points shall not be separated.
19. No World Test Challenge Final will be held this season due to the GCF 1000th Test Celebration match between a GCF World All-Star XI and Darmen.
20. Players for the GCF World All-Star XI will be selected as follows:
a. Two players per team for the top three Full Member teams, excluding Darmen, on the GCF Test Ratings following MW10.
b. One player per team for the top four teams, excluding Darmen and any teams in 20(a), on the League standings following MW10.
c. One player per team for the top Associate Member team, excluding any teams in 20(b), on the GCF Test Ratings following MW10.
d. If any positions cannot be filled, additional player spots will be offered to teams in 20(b) starting from the top of the list.
e. If there are still positions remaining, one player per team going down the League standings following MW10.
f. A total of 15 players will be named, aiming to achieve a balanced team of 6 pure batters and/or wicketkeepers, 4 all-rounders, and 5 pure bowlers.
g. Teams may decline to use some or all of their available positions, in which case the spot will drop to the next team in the order.
h. No team may have more than two players on the GCF World All-Star XI.

[Liventia]

Liventia will seek the following this season:

One two-match away series (MW 1-2)
One two-match home series (MW 3-4) *Open to playing this against an affiliate or new team
One three-match home series (MW 7-9 or 8-10)

[The Kytler Peninsulae]

The Kytlerians would be interested in accepting the opening for a two-match series in Liventia MD3-4.

Before that, they will (pending confirmation at their end) welcome Quebec and Shingoryeo for two Tests on MD1 and 2.

[TJUN-ia]

One three-match home series (MW 7-9 or 8-10)

The Bowlin' Jaguars would be interested in potentially visiting in this window.

In terms of the rest of the schedule, I'm hoping for two more series with at least one at home. Length can be negotiated, I honestly don't mind.

[Darmen]

Darmen would like to propose a three match tour of Ko-oren for the Friendship Trophy on MW 4-6. The rest of the season is open for anyone else who would like to take on the reigning world champions.

MW 1-3: OPEN (preferably in Darmen)
MW 4-6: @ Ko-oren (proposed)
MW 7-10: OPEN (if three match series in Darmen, if two two match series, then preferably one away and one at home)

[Baggieland]

I'm hoping for two more series with at least one at home. Length can be negotiated, I honestly don't mind.

The Baggies would be interested in touring TJUN-ia, probably towards the beginning of the test schedule.

One three-match home series (MW 7-9 or 8-10)

We would also be interested in this.

As that's two away series (pending TJUN-ia and Liventia's approval, of course), we would like a home series against someone, probably somewhere in the middle of the schedule (two or three match series).

[Milchama]

Darmen would like to propose a three match tour of Ko-oren for the Friendship Trophy on MW 4-6. The rest of the season is open for anyone else who would like to take on the reigning world champions.

MW 1-3: OPEN (preferably in Darmen)
MW 4-6: @ Ko-oren (proposed)
MW 7-10: OPEN (if three match series in Darmen, if two two match series, then preferably one away and one at home)

We would love to travel to Darmen in MDs 1-3.

Milchama will be hosting MDs 4-7 against Sylestone. Confirmed via Discord and will be confirmed here when Syle wakes up.

I'm also open for a 2 match series MDs 9-10. (I won't have time MD 8 to RP so no reason to schedule one).

[Murren]

For the team's debut season, the Murrenian cricket board will offer:

• A 2-match series at home (confirmed vs Lisander & Alice Bay) for MWs 4-5 (played in Murren to celebrate their First International Test(s))
• Another 2-match series away from home (confirmed at TJUN-ia) for MWs 6-7

[Quebec and Shingoryeo]

MW1-2: @ The Kytler Peninsulae (Confirmed)
MW3-5: OPEN
MW6-8: OPEN
MW9-10: vs. Milchama (Confirmed)

Darmen would like to propose a three match tour of Ko-oren for the Friendship Trophy on MW 4-6. The rest of the season is open for anyone else who would like to take on the reigning world champions.

MW 1-3: OPEN (preferably in Darmen)
MW 4-6: @ Ko-oren (proposed)
MW 7-10: OPEN (if three match series in Darmen, if two two match series, then preferably one away and one at home)

We would love to travel to Darmen in MDs 1-3.

Milchama will be hosting MDs 4-7 against Sylestone. Confirmed via Discord and will be confirmed here when Syle wakes up.

I'm also open for a 2 match series MDs 9-10. (I won't have time MD 8 to RP so no reason to schedule one).

I would be open to host Milchama at MD9-10.

[Sylestone]

Milchama will be hosting MDs 4-7 against Sylestone. Confirmed via Discord and will be confirmed here when Syle wakes up.

Confirming.

[Milchama]

MW1-2: @ The Kytler Peninsulae (Confirmed)
MW3-5: OPEN
MW6-8: OPEN
MW9-10: OPEN

I would be open to host Milchama at MD9-10.

Let's do it. Milchama on the road in Quebec.

[Lisander and Alice Bay]

Returning.

Taking the rank of Lisander.

Searching for two series of two matches, preferably around MWs 3 to 6.

[Ko-oren]

Darmen would like to propose a three match tour of Ko-oren for the Friendship Trophy on MW 4-6. The rest of the season is open for anyone else who would like to take on the reigning world champions.

Sounds good to me!

Confirmed
4-6: home v Darmen

Proposed
1-2: home v Krytenia
7-8: away at Plough Islands

Open
9-10

[Liventia]

For the team's debut season, the Murrenian cricket board will offer:

• A 2-match series at home for MWs 4-5 (played in Murren to celebrate their First International Test(s))
• Another 2-match series away from home for MWs 6-7

(if i get something wrong feel free to correct me)

That's the right way to put your schedules up for offer, no worries. Once you find your opponent(s), both of you will have to confirm the dates anew.

[Liventia]

One three-match home series (MW 7-9 or 8-10)

The Bowlin' Jaguars would be interested in potentially visiting in this window.

In terms of the rest of the schedule, I'm hoping for two more series with at least one at home. Length can be negotiated, I honestly don't mind.

We will decline: Liventia will not host TJUN-ia (or anyone else) in back-to-back seasons.

One three-match home series (MW 7-9 or 8-10)

We would also be interested in this.

We will accept this offer.

The Kytlerians would be interested in accepting the opening for a two-match series in Liventia MD3-4.

Liventia will await other potential offers before giving a definitive answer on this.

Which leaves us with:

MW1-2 away series open
MW3-4 home series open
MW8-10 Baggieland at home

[Quebec and Shingoryeo]

As that's two away series (pending TJUN-ia and Liventia's approval, of course), we would like a home series against someone, probably somewhere in the middle of the schedule (two or three match series).

MW4-6? Q&S will tour Baggieland.

[Murren]

Returning.

Taking the rank of Lisander.

Searching for two series of two matches, preferably around MWs 3 to 6.

(originally posted on my main account, whoops)

Anyway, are you okay with visiting us for MWs 4-5?

[South Newlandia]

South Newlandia proposes to play
MW 3-5: away at Plough Islands

[The Plough Islands]

The Plough Islands Cricket Association wishes to accept the following proposals;

South Newlandia proposes to play
MW 3-5: away at Plough Islands

Accepted; these will be played in the Plough Islands.

Proposed
7-8: away at Plough Islands

Accepted; these will be played in the Plough Islands.

The Plough Islands Cricket Association would also like to propose a two-Test tour of Krytenia for weeks 9 and 10; together with the series between Ko and Kry at the end of May, this will complete the triangle - quite an acute one, according to the map - of what should be quite a fun unofficial tri-series.

[Lisander]

Anyway, are you okay with visiting us for MWs 4-5?

Looks good to me.

MW 4-5: Lisander at Murren

still looking for one more series of two matches.

[TJUN-ia]

I'm hoping for two more series with at least one at home. Length can be negotiated, I honestly don't mind.

The Baggies would be interested in touring TJUN-ia, probably towards the beginning of the test schedule.

Two games over here would be nice, happy to accommodate the schedule for that.

[Baggieland]

Two games over here would be nice, happy to accommodate the schedule for that.

MW4-6? Q&S will tour Baggieland.

MW8-10 Baggieland at home

Confirmed
MW4-6 Baggieland vs Q&S.
MW8-10 Liventia vs Baggieland.

Almost Confirmed
TJUN-ia, would you like MW1-2 or MW2-3?

[TJUN-ia]

Two games over here would be nice, happy to accommodate the schedule for that.

Almost Confirmed
TJUN-ia, would you like MW1-2 or MW2-3?

1-2 if that wouldn't be too much of a hassle.

[Baggieland]

Confirmed
MW1-2 TJUN-ia vs Baggieland.