[Cricket] GCF World Test Challenge 15 – OOC

[Liventia]

Test Cricket — Season 15

• NSSport Cricket Discussion Thread
• Season 14 scheduling thread
• Season 13 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 15th season of Test cricket on NationStates. Unlike other sports (and even other forms of cricket) on NS Sport, there are no "signups" for Test cricket. Instead, teams must find other nations to play bilaterally. That means you put requests in this Scheduling thread stating which weeks your team is free, and what kind of series you are looking for.

Fixtures must be scheduled for one of 12 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.
• Teams may withdraw from future scheduled series at any point under the forum withdrawal rules, but any series already underway will be completed and the team will remain on the league table for the season.
• 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 and have not been relegated to Affiliate, 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.

This season will be spread out over 12 matchweeks. However, unlike in past years where there has been a scorination every five days or so, there will be one every week this season, stretching from October through January. This sets up a short break before T20 signups in February to coincide with the real-life World Cup. There are three off weeks built in: the first week of November and two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

Proposed matchdays (subject to change):
MW1 – 7 October
Hanalia in StrayaRoos (1 of 2)
Eastfield Lodge in Aryavarna (1 of 2)
Busoga Islands in Quebec and Shingoryeo (1 of 2)
Sharktail in Ko-oren (1 of 3)
TJUN-ia in Vaishnavaria (1 of 2)

MW2 – 14 October
Hanalia in StrayaRoos (2 of 2)
Eastfield Lodge in Aryavarna (2 of 2)
Busoga Islands in Quebec and Shingoryeo (2 of 2)
Milchama in Liventia (1 of 3)
Sharktail in Ko-oren (2 of 3)
TJUN-ia in Vaishnavaria (2 of 2)

MW3 – 21 October
Aryavarna in Hanalia (1 of 2)
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Eastfield Lodge (1 of 2)
Ethane in Busoga Islands (1 of 2)
Milchama in Liventia (2 of 3)
Sharktail in Ko-oren (3 of 3)
Indusse in Plough Islands (1 of 2)
Moladea in Vaishnavaria (1 of 2)

MW4 – 28 October
Aryavarna in Hanalia (2 of 2)
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Eastfield Lodge (2 of 2)
Ethane in Busoga Islands (2 of 2)
Milchama in Liventia (3 of 3)
Ko-oren in Darmen (Friendship Trophy 1 of 3)
Indusse in Plough Islands (2 of 2)
Moladea in Vaishnavaria (2 of 2)

MW5 – 11 November
Liventia in Quebec and Shingoryeo (1 of 2)
Paradystopia in Plough Islands (1 of 4)
South Newlandia in Sylestone (1 of 2)
Ko-oren in Darmen (Friendship Trophy 2 of 3)
Ethane in Milchama (1 of 3)
Aryavarna in StrayaRoos (1 of 3)

MW6 – 18 November
Liventia in Quebec and Shingoryeo (2 of 2)
Paradystopia in Plough Islands (2 of 4)
South Newlandia in Sylestone (2 of 2)
Ko-oren in Darmen (Friendship Trophy 3 of 3)
Ethane in Milchama (2 of 3)
Aryavarna in StrayaRoos (2 of 3)

MW7 – 25 November
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Sylestone (1 of 3)
Paradystopia in Plough Islands (3 of 4)
South Newlandia in The Grearish Union (1 of 3)
Darmen in Liventia (Edwards–Winter Trophy 1 of 3)
Ethane in Milchama (3 of 3)
Ko-oren in The Kytler Peninsulae (Presidents' Trophy 1 of 3)
Aryavarna in StrayaRoos (3 of 3)

MW8 – 2 December
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Sylestone (2 of 3)
Paradystopia in Plough Islands (4 of 4)
South Newlandia in The Grearish Union (2 of 3)
Darmen in Liventia (Edwards–Winter Trophy 2 of 3)
Sharktail in TJUN-ia (1 of 3)
Milchama in Indusse (1 of 2)
Ko-oren in The Kytler Peninsulae (Presidents' Trophy 2 of 3)
Lisander and Alice Bay in Aryavarna (1 of 3)

MW9 – 9 December
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Sylestone (3 of 3)
South Newlandia in The Grearish Union (3 of 3)
Darmen in Liventia (Edwards–Winter Trophy 3 of 3)
Sharktail in TJUN-ia (2 of 3)
Milchama in Indusse (2 of 2)
Ko-oren in The Kytler Peninsulae (Presidents' Trophy 3 of 3)
Lisander and Alice Bay in Aryavarna (2 of 3)

MW10 – 16 December
Sylestone in The Grearish Union (1 of 3)
Plough Islands in Ko-oren (1 of 3)
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Milchama (1 of 3)
Sharktail in TJUN-ia (3 of 3)
Darmen in Ethane (1 of 3)
Lisander and Alice Bay in Aryavarna (3 of 3)

MW11 – 6 January
Sylestone in The Grearish Union (2 of 3)
Plough Islands in Ko-oren (2 of 3)
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Milchama (2 of 3)
Darmen in Ethane (2 of 3)
Liventia in Aryavarna (1 of 2)

MW12 – 13 January
Sylestone in The Grearish Union (3 of 3)
Plough Islands in Ko-oren (3 of 3)
Quebec and Shingoryeo in Milchama (3 of 3)
Darmen in Ethane (3 of 3)
Liventia in Aryavarna (2 of 2)

Final – 20 January

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 — meaning no playing two overlapping series. However, series of 3 or 4 matches do not need to be played in consecutive matchweeks with a maximum of one off week. That is to say, a 4-match series may be played over MW1 to MW5 with an off-week on MW2, 3, or 4, the week of which must be clarified. Series of 2 or 5 matches must still take place over 2 or 5 weeks respectively.

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. The change to allow one off-week per series in series of three matches or longer is meant to assist in such bilateral RPing.

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-GCF Season 15 ranks

Full Members                       Score  Pts/MP  Adjusted
 1 The Plough Islands		 FM  123 (2834/23)  111.61
 2 Darmen			 FM  116 (3020/26)  108.08
 3 Liventia			 FM  115 (2763/24)  107.56
 4 Milchama			 FM  108 (3041/28)  104.30
 5 Ko-oren			 FM  106 (2866/27)  103.07
 6 TJUN-ia			 FM   97 (2621/27)   98.54
 7 Krytenia			 FM   90 (1716/19)   95.16
 8 Sylestone			 FM   89 (2598/29)   94.79
 9 Quebec and Shingoryeo	 FM   84 (2361/28)   92.16
10 Baggieland			 FM   83 (1579/19)   91.55

Associate Members
 1 South Newlandia               AS   82 (660/8)     97.00
 2 The Kytler Peninsulae         AS   77 (231/3)     94.00
 3 Lisander and Alice Bay	 AS   46 (280/6)     79.00

Affiliate Members
None

Inactive Members/CTE
 1 Gruenberg		      CE/FM  118 (2009/17)  109.09
 2 Sajnur		      IN/FM   66 (734/11)    83.36
 3 Sharktail                  CE/FM   61 (1109/18)   80.81
 4 Murren                     CE/AS   85 (769/9)     98.00
 5 Eura			      CE/AS   58 (175/3)     86.00
 6 The Cannaland Islands      CE/AF  100 (301/3)     96.00
 7 Lozho		      CE/AF   81 (324/4)     96.00
 8 Elmyia		      IN/AF   67 (402/6)     89.00
 9 StrayaRoos		      IN/AF   48 (194/4)     80.00
10 Eastfield Lodge	      IN/AF   38 (652/17)    70.00

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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, except when their first Test series ends in a series draw or defeat to a team with a rating of 80 or lower in which case the opponent's rating will be taken to be 80 regardless.
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, 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.
17. To qualify for the final League standings, 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.
19. After 12 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 selected by the League standings winner.
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, GCF Test rating after Matchday 12 (Full Members shall always be considered to be ranked higher than Associate Members).
21. Should the World Test Challenge Final be drawn or tied, the team with the first-innings lead in the Final shall be crowned champions. If there is a tie on first-innings scores, the World Test Challenge title shall be awarded to the team ranked higher in the League standings.

[Liventia]

Liventia will seek the following this season:

Three-match series at home MW1-4 (meaning either 1-2-3, 2-3-4, 1-2-4, or 1-3-4 — if 1-2-4 or 1-3-4, comes with the offer of three bilateral T20s or ODIs during the week off)
Two-match series away, MW5-6
Three-match series at home MW7-10 (meaning either 7-8-9 or 8-9-10, but not a four-week window with an off week in the middle)
Two-match series away, MW11-12 (open to holding this for a new nation or lower-ranked nation to schedule against later in the season)

Liventia will not look to schedule against new teams until after Matchweek 7, when we will fill the last series.
Additionally, Liventia will not play The Kytler Peninsulae at home or Baggieland at home, as we hosted both teams last season. Liventia will also not play TJUN-ia at home, Darmen away, or Plough Islands away as these were our fixtures in Season 13.

Liventia offers to host Darmen in either of our three-match slots for the Edwards–Winter Trophy.

[Quebec and Shingoryeo]

Quebec and Shingoryeo will be back and ready to schedule tests.

Liventia will seek the following this season:

Three-match series at home MW1-4 (meaning either 1-2-3, 2-3-4, 1-2-4, or 1-3-4 — if 1-2-4 or 1-3-4, comes with the offer of three bilateral T20s or ODIs during the week off)
Two-match series away, MW5-6

Would Liventia be open for a trip to Q&S on MW5-6?

[Aryavarna]

The Board of Control for Cricket in Aryavarna (BCCA) would like to enter the GCF Test season.

Our preference is for two Test series, weeks 1-2 and 3-4, home and away. We will happily play anyone, even Temu adbots.

I RPed the GCF T20 World Cup 17 quite extensively, for anyone seeking an RP sample.

In the unlikely event you're open to playing me but would rather play one of my other puppets I'm open to that too.

[Ko-oren]

Looking for four three-match series.

MW 1-3
MW 4-6
MW 7-9
MW 10-12

Proposing:
- Plough Islands in Ko-oren?
- a series against Kytler Peninsulae (ambivalent towards home/away)?

[Ethane]

As I'm a 'new' nation for the test challenge, I would like to schedule two 2 match series against teams for MW1-2 and MW3-4. I would be open to changing this to a 3 match series and a singular match if that helps with scheduling.

Providing approval is forthcoming, after MW4, I would be keen to have two three-match series (MW5-7, 8-10) and an additional 2 match series (MW11-12).

[Sylestone]

Proposing Sylestone vs Quebec @ Sylestone on MW 7-9 (three matches).

Also open to scheduling a two-test series on MW 5-6 (I can do a three-test series and make it MW 4-6 as well) and another series MW 10-12.

[Quebec and Shingoryeo]

Proposing Sylestone vs Quebec @ Sylestone on MW 7-9 (three matches).

Happy to confirm this as well.

[Busoga Islands]

Busoga is BACK for some test cricket.

Proposing Busoga Islands v. Quebec on MW1-3, in Quebec.

As I'm a 'new' nation for the test challenge, I would like to schedule two 2 match series against teams for MW1-2 and MW3-4. I would be open to changing this to a 3 match series and a singular match if that helps with scheduling.

Providing approval is forthcoming, after MW4, I would be keen to have two three-match series (MW5-7, 8-10) and an additional 2 match series (MW11-12).

Propose Ethane @ Busoga Islands, MW4-5.

[Liventia]

As I'm a 'new' nation for the test challenge, I would like to schedule two 2 match series against teams for MW1-2 and MW3-4. I would be open to changing this to a 3 match series and a singular match if that helps with scheduling.

Providing approval is forthcoming, after MW4, I would be keen to have two three-match series (MW5-7, 8-10) and an additional 2 match series (MW11-12).

As a returning nation with previous Full Member status, Ethane is not subject to the scheduling restrictions.

Busoga Islands is a returning Affiliate Member and the restrictions do apply.

[Eastfield Lodge]

Looking to return as the worst side in Test cricket history. Maybe the ICCB will follow their footballing counterparts and buck up their ideas. Probably looking at two two test series to get us up and running as well. Not particularly fussed about home/away.

[Busoga Islands]

As I'm a 'new' nation for the test challenge, I would like to schedule two 2 match series against teams for MW1-2 and MW3-4. I would be open to changing this to a 3 match series and a singular match if that helps with scheduling.

Providing approval is forthcoming, after MW4, I would be keen to have two three-match series (MW5-7, 8-10) and an additional 2 match series (MW11-12).

As a returning nation with previous Full Member status, Ethane is not subject to the scheduling restrictions.

Busoga Islands is a returning Affiliate Member and the restrictions do apply.

Got it.

In that case, I propose Busoga Islands @ Quebec for MW1-2, and then Ethane @ Busoga Islands for MW3-4.

[Hanalia]

I am looking for 2x 2 match series as a new nation, ideally one at home and one away.

Should associate status be achievable for a new nation in the first season, I'd like to have 1 x 3 match series, home or away. Maybe I've not quite fully understood the regs though?
I think I'd also prefer (one of) the away trip(s) to be Anaian, not that it'll have an RP impact but less travel makes a little more sense ICly I think

[Aryavarna]

Looking to return as the worst side in Test cricket history. Maybe the ICCB will follow their footballing counterparts and buck up their ideas. Probably looking at two two test series to get us up and running as well. Not particularly fussed about home/away.

Would you like to play us at home weeks 1-2?

[Sharktail]

Looking for four three-match series.

MW 1-3
MW 4-6
MW 7-9
MW 10-12

If it good, may we scehdule MW 1-3? H/A no matter.

[StrayaRoos]

I am looking for 2x 2 match series as a new nation, ideally one at home and one away.

Should associate status be achievable for a new nation in the first season, I'd like to have 1 x 3 match series, home or away. Maybe I've not quite fully understood the regs though?
I think I'd also prefer (one of) the away trip(s) to be Anaian, not that it'll have an RP impact but less travel makes a little more sense ICly I think

Would you be open to a series in StrayaRoos in weeks 1 & 2?

[Paradystopia]

As the thought of a two-match test series feels weird to me (can't explain why, just does), would anyone be interested in letting me put all my proverbial eggs in a single basket and scheduling a three, or four match series?

Nonplussed as to whether home or away, and preferably towards the beginning of the season so as to allow for further scheduling (under the assumption that I will achieve the necessary criteria to do so.)

[Liventia]

I am looking for 2x 2 match series as a new nation, ideally one at home and one away.

Should associate status be achievable for a new nation in the first season, I'd like to have 1 x 3 match series, home or away. Maybe I've not quite fully understood the regs though?
I think I'd also prefer (one of) the away trip(s) to be Anaian, not that it'll have an RP impact but less travel makes a little more sense ICly I think

It is achievable in the first season, yes. As soon as consistent RPing is proven, promotion is almost guaranteed. And that will allow you to schedule more, regardless of whether you schedule 2x2 or 1x3 or 1x4 to start.

[Aryavarna]

Confirming on my end as per TG:

Aryavarna will tour Hanalia, weeks 3-4

[Hanalia]

Confirming on my end as per TG:

Aryavarna will tour Hanalia, weeks 3-4

Would you be open to a series in StrayaRoos in weeks 1 & 2?

Yes

& confirming above

MW 1-2 Hanalia in StrayaRoos (2 test series)
MW 3-4 Aryavarna in Hanalia (2 test series)

[The Plough Islands]

The Plough Islands Cricket Association (still trying to get their heads around being ranked #1 in both Tests and limited overs!) would like to schedule the following series, in a vaguely reverse chronological order;

[...] Plough Islands in Ko-oren?

As arranged through Discord via the Dragonlance Nexus, we would like to accept the invitation of our Anaian friends and rivals to tour them for a three Test series over the new year period on Matchdays 10 through 12.

[...] would anyone be interested in letting me put all my proverbial eggs in a single basket and scheduling a three, or four match series?

The Association would also like to invite the Paradystopians to tour the islands for a four Test series on Matchdays 5 through 8.

We would also like to invite an opponent - preferably a new, or new to Tests, cricketing nation - to tour the Plough Islands on Matchdays 3 and 4 (I can't do any earlier as, owing to a series of events, I will be at the NFL London gridiron football event at the start of October. I have zero idea how gridiron football works. I might have to take an anthropological view of the experience). Any interested nations please get in touch :3

[South Newlandia]

South Newlandia proposes tests

- in Weeks 5 and 6 at Sylestone (2 tests)

and

- in Weeks 7, 8, and 9 in The Grearish Union (3 tests)

[Sylestone]

South Newlandia proposes tests

- in Weeks 5 and 6 at Sylestone (2 tests)

yessir

Also proposing MW 10-12 (3 tests): The Grearish Union vs Sylestone @ The Grearish Union

[The Grearish Union]

Confirming the following.

MW 7-9: South Newlandia in The Grearish Union
MW 10-12: Sylestone in The Grearish Union