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Scheduling is killing the contest in cricket

Why haven't Australia done better in T20? (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Roar Guru
21st April, 2016
6

While many lament the increased focus on domestic T20 competitions and decreased ‘playing windows’ as the reason that international cricket is losing some of its lustre, one need only examine the upcoming fixtures for the 2016-17 Australian summer to find exactly why cricket is in trouble.

Let’s have a look at this summer’s offerings. We begin with a three-test series against South Africa. In between this series, and a three-test series against Pakistan we will be subjected to one of the most pointless scheduling decisions in recent memory – a three-ODI series against New Zealand.

Following the three Tests, we play Pakistan in a five-ODI series, and finish off with a three-T20 series against Sri Lanka.

Four sides. In one summer?

In 2015-16 the quality of cricket was widely derided, with the West Indies putting up a pitiful showing, and New Zealand only matching it with the Aussies once the series was done and dusted.

Is anyone surprised though?

Once upon a time, a touring team might start off with matches against Victoria, Queensland, NSW, and WA, before playing potentially an Australia-A side, or even receiving some valuable centre-wicket practice against some second XIs.

There were more first-class games than Tests, and as a result the visiting teams were on their feet and ready before taking on Australia on their home turf.

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Nowadays, in the frantic scramble to meet touring ‘obligations’ tours are truncated, warm-up games virtually non-existent, and by the time a touring side adapts to conditions and the stresses of touring life the series is over.

The hapless Windies took on a Cricket Australia XI in a three-day match, and a Victorian XI in a two-day match with no further first-class matches in between the three Tests. No time for a player to discover (or rediscover) form.

At least New Zealand played four warm-up matches. However, one of them was a 50-over match against a PM’s XI, and one of them was against a Cricket Australia XI that saw the Kiwis refuse to bowl their quicks because of a dodgy pitch in a match that was abandoned without New Zealand batting. What hope does a side have of adapting?

Of course, sides such as South Africa likely have the talent needed to compete straight away on different surfaces, but a ‘hit-n-miss’ side like Pakistan are unlikely to trouble the Australians without an extended build-up on our surfaces.

In the meantime, we are subjected to meaningless, ultimately forgettable ODIs that – while having a bearing on ODI world rankings – mean nothing to, and stimulate no excitement from the general public.

Yes, we have potentially two day-night Tests. Big tick.

The rest? A ridiculous schedule.

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