Test skill

Testskill is a game devoted to trying to correctly predict performances by individual cricket players in international cricket matches, where the best 4 performers from each team are selected by the tipster, and points are awarded depending on who scores the most runs, gets the most wickets and takes the most catches. Prizes are awarded for the best tipsters, including caps, mugs, iPods and even overseas holidays. It is free to play. The intellectual property and trademark of TESTSKILL© are vested in Testskill International Limited of Vanuatu. The licensed operator of the game of Testskill is Testskill Limited, a subsidiary of Testskill International.

History

The game of Testskill was invented in the 1980s in Australia. It attempted to perform a mathematically accurate model to describe who was the best player on each team, and differs from traditional tipping systems in that picking the winner has minimal relevance. It was written during a period of time when Australia was one of the worst teams in international cricket, and was used as a distraction from having to watch Australia continually lose. Since moving to Vanuatu, one of its charters has been to try to develop cricket in Vanuatu and in underdeveloped countries around the world.

The web site (http://www.testskill.com/) which has since been taken over by another entity has been in operation since 26 November 2004, [http://www.alexa.com/data/details/?url=testskill.com] although the game has been in operation for 20 years prior to this.

How to Play

Testskill allows a user to register (1 account per user) and they pick a match that will start in the next few days, and then try to pick the top 4 players from each team - this is done before there is confirmation of who the 11 players in the team will be. Then the user gets to make 5 other predictions (6 total). During the match, updates are made as to how many points a player has scored. At the end of the match, points are awarded to each user for each of their 6 predictions, and these are compared on a tally.

Points

The points system awards as follows:
*1 point per 1 run made while batting
*15 points per each wicket taken LBW or bowled
*12 points per each wicket taken caught or stumped
*5 points per catch or stumping

Prizes

Prizes are awarded for the top tipsters in each category. Categories are Southern Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. Some random prizes are also given. Whilst there is no entry fee required, a tipster can win prizes of substantial monetary value. Prizes include:

*Cap
*T-shirt
*Cricket computer stats program
*Cricket computer game
*iPod Nano
*Cricket equipment
*A trip for 2 to Vanuatu for 7 days

Membership

As at November 2005, there were 75,954 individuals participating in Test Skill. Test Skill has been very strict with ensuring that nobody has 2 accounts, hence ensuring that all of these individuals are unique and active accounts. To date 73,985,334 points have been awarded to members in the 2005/06 season.

External links

* [http://www.testskill.com/ Official site has closed down]