GCF World Test Challenge 11 Scheduling [CLOSED]

[NS Global Cricket Federation]

Test Cricket — Season 11

• NSSport Cricket Discussion Thread
• Season 10 scheduling thread
• Season 9 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 11th edition. This is the scheduling thread for bilateral Test series – while there will be a league table and a finals tournament, 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 14 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 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 no longer ranked, are NOT restricted by this rule.

Proposed matchdays (subject to change):
MD1: 7 March
MD2: 11 March
MD3: 15 March
MD4: 19 March
MD5: 23 March
MD6: 27 March
MD7: 31 March
MD8: 4 April
MD9: 8 April
-- MIDSEASON BREAK --
MD10: 14 April
MD11: 18 April
MD12: 22 April
MD13: 26 April
MD14: 30 April
MD15 (World Test Challenge one-off Final): 3 May

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.

NEW THIS SEASON!
The World Test Challenge Final is changing from a three-match series to a one-off Final. All Full Members and Associate Members (including any Associate Members that may have been promoted from Affiliate status during the season) may nominate one ground in their country (please include a ±6 ground modifier) to host the Final. Site bids must be made by Matchday 6 and must be made publicly in bold in any RP post.

CONFIRMED SERIES
Starting Matchday 1: Darmen v Ko-oren (four matches); Pratapgadh v Eastfield Lodge (two matches)
Starting Matchday 5: Eastfield Lodge v Darmen (three matches)
Starting Matchday 8: Ko-oren v The Plough Islands (two matches)
Starting Matchday 10: Liventia v Ko-oren (two matches)
Starting Matchday 12: Darmen v Liventia (three matches)

[NS Global Cricket Federation]

Post-season 10 GCF Rankings

Full Members                       Score  Pts/MP  Adjusted
1 Liventia			 FM  125 (4031/32)  112.98
2 Ethane			 FM  118 (3210/27)  109.44
3 Darmen			 FM  109 (4064/37)  104.92
4 Teusland                       FM  104 (1045/10)  102.25
5 Ko-oren			 FM  102 (3688/36)  101.22
6 The Plough Islands		 FM  102 (3172/31)  101.16
7 Eura				 FM  101 (2341/23)  100.89
8 Apox				 FM   95 (2591/27)   97.98
9 Eastfield Lodge		 FM   78 (1563/20)   89.08

Associate Members
1 Sajnur                         AS   72 (510/7)     92.00
2 Pratapgadh                     AS   60 (240/4)     85.00
3 Elejamie			 AS   56 (450/8)     84.00

Affiliate Members
1 The Busoga Islands             AF  150 (450/3)    120.00
2 Damukuni                       AF  147 (1033/7)   118.00

Inactive Members
1 Mattijana	              IN/FM  120 (2400/20)  110.00
2 Northwest Kalactin	      IN/AF  107 (1079/10)   98.00
3 Barunia		      IN/FM   85 (1030/12)   92.92
4 Tobiasia		      IN/FM   73 (882/12)    86.75
5 The Kiaser Colonies	      IN/FM   70 (493/7)     85.21
6 Lisander		      IN/FM   66 (200/3)     83.33

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 permanently while active. 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 and World Test Challenge Final
16. League points will be awarded as follows: 16 points for a win, 9 for a tie, 5 for a draw, an additional 4 points for a first-innings lead or 2 points for a first-innings tie, 1 bonus point for a win by 10 wickets or an innings.
17. To qualify for the final League standings and the World Test Challenge Final, teams must play a minimum of one home and one away series, and a minimum of seven matches (not including series). Teams that play at least seven 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, except where there is a tie for a deciding qualifying spot for the World Test Challenge Final.
19. After 14 matchdays, the top two qualified teams in the League standings will play a one-off World Test Challenge Final, to be played at a venue to be decided on Matchday 7.
20. Should there be more than one team on the same number of points (rounded to the nearest 0.1) that would qualify for the World Test Challenge Final, the tie(s) shall be broken as follows: Points not including bonus points, number of wins divided by number of matches played, number of wins plus draws plus ties divided by number of matches played, world ranking (Full Members shall always be considered to be ranked higher than Associate Members).
21. Should the World Test Challenge Final be held at the ground of one of the finalists, the team finishing higher in the League standings shall be crowned champions if the Final is tied. Should the Final be held at a neutral ground, the World Test Challenge title shall be shared if the Final is tied.
22. Full Members and Associate Members may choose to nominate one ground in their country to host the one-off Final. Nominations must be made by Matchday 6.

[Liventia]

Liventia will seek the following this season:

Series 1: TWO MATCHES AWAY (MD1, MD2)
Series 2: FOUR MATCHES HOME (MD6, MD7, MD8, MD9)
Series 3: TWO MATCHES HOME (MD10, MD11)
Series 4: THREE MATCHES AWAY (MD12, MD13, MD14)

Please only apply to play Liventia if you have previously RPed Test/T20 cricket to a decent standard.

[The Plough Islands]

And when I wake, I will still be dreaming...

We've already made arrangements for one series, so I'd like to formally invite Lisander (& Alice Bay) for a three-Test series on MDs 12, 13, and 14, to be played in the Plough Islands, along with an exciting unofficial One Day International(s?) sometime in May after the season finishes.

I'd also like to offer a a three-Test series on MDs 1, 2, and 3, to be played in the Plough Islands, to any team new to Test cricket that wants to take it - this would be a good opportunity for any newbies to prove their RPing worth and graduate to Associate Member status quickly. (If nobody materialises in time I'm also happy to play established nations who haven't, or possibly have, faced us before.)

Beyond those two, I'm open to suggestions for other series (played away from home), although to minimise the risk of burnout I don't want to be active every single day - as always, telegram me or find me on Discord (joey_picus#2168) if you'd like to host the Foxes.

[Ko-oren]

Looking for the following:
- four-match series MD1-4
- No matches scheduled MD5-7
- two-match series MD8-9
- three-match series MD10-12 (or two matches, MD10-11)
- two-match series MD13-14 (or three matches, MD12-14)

I'd like to play two series at home and two away.

[Liventia]

Looking for the following:
- four-match series MD1-4
- No matches scheduled MD5-7
- two-match series MD8-9
- three-match series MD10-12 (or two matches, MD10-11)
- two-match series MD13-14 (or three matches, MD12-14)

I'd like to play two series at home and two away.

Following last season's two-Test series away in Ko-oren, Liventia will offer to host Ko-oren on MDs 10-11.

[Darmen]

- four-match series MD1-4

The Darmeni Cricket Board would like to invite Ko-oren to tour Darmen at the beginning of the season for four matches. If agreed to (and assuming the GCF's policy towards Day/Night matches hasn't changed), the opening match would be played under lights.

Series 4: THREE MATCHES AWAY (MD12, MD13, MD14)

The Darmeni Cricket Board would like to invite Liventia to tour Darmen at the end of the season for three matches. If agreed to (and assuming the GCF's policy towards Day/Night matches hasn't changed), the final match would be played under lights.

That leaves MD's 5-11 open for two or three series against other opponents. Preference will be given to nations Darmen has faced previously (especially Rushmori ones), but anyone is welcome to propose a series.

[Ko-oren]

- MD1-4 @Darmen
- No matches scheduled MD5-7
- MD8-9 vPlough Islands
- MD10-11 @Liventia
- MD12-14

Still looking for a two-match series MD12-14, to be played in Ko-oren, preferably against a new team or a team we haven't faced often.

(MD8-9 Plough Island series discussed via Discord)

[The Plough Islands]

(MD8-9 Plough Island series discussed via Discord)

Confirming our acceptance of this! (to be played in Ko-oren)

[Pratapgadh]

Looking to play some series this season

• two-match series HOME (MD1-2)
• three match series AWAY (MD3-5)

I think Lisander wanted to play a 3-match series with me, but still not sure if he available for M3-5. I going for 4 weeks long trip to India on March 26 (or later as the airline keeps delaying the date because of the coronavirus outbreak, even though only a few people in India are affected) and I return to NZ in early May. So sadly I will miss most of the season

[Eastfield Lodge]

- four-match series MD1-4

The Darmeni Cricket Board would like to invite Ko-oren to tour Darmen at the beginning of the season for four matches. If agreed to (and assuming the GCF's policy towards Day/Night matches hasn't changed), the opening match would be played under lights.

Series 4: THREE MATCHES AWAY (MD12, MD13, MD14)

The Darmeni Cricket Board would like to invite Liventia to tour Darmen at the end of the season for three matches. If agreed to (and assuming the GCF's policy towards Day/Night matches hasn't changed), the final match would be played under lights.

That leaves MD's 5-11 open for two or three series against other opponents. Preference will be given to nations Darmen has faced previously (especially Rushmori ones), but anyone is welcome to propose a series.

MDs 5-7 (three tests), in EFL?

Looking to play some series this season

• two-match series HOME (MD1-2)
• three match series AWAY (MD3-5)

I think Lisander wanted to play a 3-match series with me, but still not sure if he available for M3-5. I going for 4 weeks long trip to India on March 26 (or later as the airline keeps delaying the date because of the coronavirus outbreak, even though only a few people in India are affected) and I return to NZ in early May. So sadly I will miss most of the season

I'll take that MD1-2 series if you're alright with it?

MDs 3-4, I'll offer to any new nation that wishes to gain matches for practice/quota. I don't mind home or away.
MDs 8-14 are all free atm.

[Pratapgadh]

Looking to play some series this season

• two-match series HOME (MD1-2)
• three match series AWAY (MD3-5)

I think Lisander wanted to play a 3-match series with me, but still not sure if he available for M3-5. I going for 4 weeks long trip to India on March 26 (or later as the airline keeps delaying the date because of the coronavirus outbreak, even though only a few people in India are affected) and I return to NZ in early May. So sadly I will miss most of the season

I'll take that MD1-2 series if you're alright with it?

MDs 3-4, I'll offer to any new nation that wishes to gain matches for practice/quota. I don't mind home or away.
MDs 8-14 are all free atm.

Accepted.

Would like to confirm the 2-match home series against Eastfield Lodge.

[Darmen]

<snip>

MDs 5-7 (three tests), in EFL?

Sounds good to me.

MD 1-4: Ko-oren in Darmen (Confirmed)
MD 5-7: Darmen in Eastfield Lodge (Confirmed)
MD 8-11: OPEN
MD 12-14: Liventia in Darmen (Awaiting Confirmation)

[Liventia]

Confirming the Ko-oren in Liventia and Liventia in Darmen series, thanks.

That leaves Liventia's calendar as follows:
MD1-MD2 AWAY
MD6-MD9 HOME
MD10-MD11 Ko-oren home
MD12-MD14 Darmen away

[NS Global Cricket Federation]

CONFIRMED SERIES
Starting Matchday 1: Darmen v Ko-oren (four matches); Pratapgadh v Eastfield Lodge (two matches)
Starting Matchday 5: Eastfield Lodge v Darmen (three matches)
Starting Matchday 8: Ko-oren v The Plough Islands (two matches)
Starting Matchday 10: Liventia v Ko-oren (two matches)
Starting Matchday 12: Darmen v Liventia (three matches)

Please advise if any confirmed series to date have been missed off this list.

[Pratapgadh]

MDs 5-7 (three tests), in EFL?

Sounds good to me.

MD 1-4: Ko-oren in Darmen (Confirmed)
MD 5-7: Darmen in Eastfield Lodge (Confirmed)
MD 8-11: OPEN
MD 12-14: Liventia in Darmen (Awaiting Confirmation)

I will take the MD 8-11 one. I don't think I will RP but I will post my first xi or more info if possible.

[Lisander]

I think Lisander wanted to play a 3-match series with me, but still not sure if he available for M3-5. I going for 4 weeks long trip to India on March 26 (or later as the airline keeps delaying the date because of the coronavirus outbreak, even though only a few people in India are affected) and I return to NZ in early May. So sadly I will miss most of the season

Yes, I'm available.

And when I wake, I will still be dreaming...
We've already made arrangements for one series, so I'd like to formally invite Lisander (& Alice Bay) for a three-Test series on MDs 12, 13, and 14, to be played in the Plough Islands, along with an exciting unofficial One Day International(s?) sometime in May after the season finishes.

And I confirm this too.

It just happened while I was running with college, I haven't seen the thread. So I have, up to now:

MD 1-2: vs Liventia
MD 3-5: vs Pratapgadh
MD 6-11: Open
MD 12-14: @The Plough Islands

I should send some TGs and edit it in the next days.

[Darmen]

I will take the MD 8-11 one. I don't think I will RP but I will post my first xi or more info if possible.

I'll keep this offer in mind, but will continue to accept offers from others in the hopes of finding an opponent who will be able to RP. Another possibility is to have two two-match series'; one against Pratapgadh and another against a different opponent.

[Liventia]

MD 1-2: Open
MD 3-5: vs Pratapgadh
MD 6-11: Open
MD 12-14: @The Plough Islands

I should send some TGs and edit it in the next days.

Liventia will offer to tour Lisander and Alice Bay on MDs 1-2.

[Lisander]

Sounds good to me!

MD 1-2: Open
MD 3-5: vs Pratapgadh
MD 6-11: Open
MD 12-14: @The Plough Islands

I should send some TGs and edit it in the next days.

Liventia will offer to tour Lisander and Alice Bay on MDs 1-2.

Sounds good to me!

[NS Global Cricket Federation]

CONFIRMED SERIES
Starting Matchday 1: Darmen v Ko-oren (four matches); Pratapgadh v Eastfield Lodge (two matches); Lisander v Liventia (two matches)
Starting Matchday 3: Lisander v Pratapgadh (three matches)
Starting Matchday 5: Eastfield Lodge v Darmen (three matches)
Starting Matchday 8: Ko-oren v The Plough Islands (two matches)
Starting Matchday 10: Liventia v Ko-oren (two matches)
Starting Matchday 12: Darmen v Liventia (three matches); The Plough Islands v Lisander (three matches)

Please advise if any confirmed series to date have been missed off this list.

The RP thread will be posted on 29 February, allowing for exactly one week of RPing before the first scorination.

[Sajnur]

- MD1-4 @Darmen
- No matches scheduled MD5-7
- MD8-9 vPlough Islands
- MD10-11 @Liventia
- MD12-14

Still looking for a two-match series MD12-14, to be played in Ko-oren, preferably against a new team or a team we haven't faced often.

(MD8-9 Plough Island series discussed via Discord)

Sajnur is open for two matches on MD13-14

[Ko-oren]

- MD1-4 @Darmen
- No matches scheduled MD5-7
- MD8-9 vPlough Islands
- MD10-11 @Liventia
- MD12-14

Still looking for a two-match series MD12-14, to be played in Ko-oren, preferably against a new team or a team we haven't faced often.

(MD8-9 Plough Island series discussed via Discord)

Sajnur is open for two matches on MD13-14

That works!

- MD1-4 @Darmen
- No matches scheduled MD5-7
- MD8-9 vPlough Islands
- MD10-11 @Liventia
- MD13-14 vSajnur

With that, the Ko-orenite schedule is done!

[Liventia]

Liventia still has four matchdays open, and would consider one Test series of four matches or two Test series of two matches (at home in all cases).

MD1-MD2 Lisander away
MD6-MD9 HOME (either as one four-match series or two two-match series on MD6-7 and MD8-9)
MD10-MD11 Ko-oren home
MD12-MD14 Darmen away

[NS Global Cricket Federation]

CONFIRMED SERIES
Starting Matchday 1: Darmen v Ko-oren (four matches); Pratapgadh v Eastfield Lodge (two matches); Lisander v Liventia (two matches)
Starting Matchday 3: Lisander v Pratapgadh (three matches)
Starting Matchday 5: Eastfield Lodge v Darmen (three matches)
Starting Matchday 8: Ko-oren v The Plough Islands (two matches)
Starting Matchday 10: Liventia v Ko-oren (two matches)
Starting Matchday 12: Darmen v Liventia (three matches); The Plough Islands v Lisander (three matches)
Starting Matchday 13: Ko-oren v Sajnur (two matches)

Scheduling will remain open throughout the season until Matchday 12.