Australian cricketers need rest, and so do we

ya we (Aussies) lost all their matches against England, but it not matters that we still no.1. we have a very busy schedule infront of us, there is no time for remembering the loses n all, just moving on. we have big series with Pakistan, Srilanka and with the big Protias. all the best Aussis. you'll hit them all. come on Ponting show all who's the King of tests for all tome is you only. Thank you.

Correct. From memory they only had 2-3 days at home in between the last Ashes tour and the World Cup.

Some of the critics here miss the point. Cricketers don't get paid big bucks for the time they put in, but because of the huge income they generate. I dont begrudge them their pay packet, and if they are going to perform at the highest level, which fans demand, they need rest and recuperation.

I hate to say it but there has to be an off-season in here somewhere, right?

Its simple, scrap the pointless limited overs games with no context except the cash - and they don't bring that in like they used to anyway. • June-July 2012, to England for five ODIs against England. • August-September 2012, to England for four ODIs and three T20s against Pakistan.

It's also got to do with the fact that England has gone into the past few World Cup tournaments immediately off the back of an Ashes tour down under, placing them at a bit of a disadvantage in those limited overs affairs. The ECB was therefore not keen to tour Australia immediately prior to the 2015 World Cup as would have occurred with the existing schedule.

Morning, that's not completely true, the 2013/14 series was brought forward by agreement from both parties, so as not to conflict with the 2015 World Cup in Australian and New Zealand at the end of the 2014/15 season..

There is simply too much cricket. People who suggest these players get real jobs have no idea of the pressure and the exhaustion of hotels, airports and the like would be like. Also too much of one thing is never a good thing, so a break for players and fans would be a good thing. Unfortunately, the sub continent, who runs cricket, are playing the sport and the players into the ground.

Australia, normally, would play an Ashes series next year in England, and then a return series in Australia in season 2014/15. Instead, Australia plays an ashes series in 2013 AND another one a few months later in 2013/14 The latter series is bought forward due to the ECB's wishes. However, an additional ashes series is fixtured for 2015. A total disgrace.

Valid point, Rabbitz. I worked in an industry in which redundancy, voluntary and forced, has become commonplace, although I managed to avoid it myself. The "job for life" days are over, we all agree, at least in some fields. But whereas, say, a competent lawyer or carpenter might expect to work until 50 or 60 _ assuming good health _ a professional cricketer is more or less certain to be over the hill at 35. Hence the need to cash in before the eye goes and the joints start complaining. Top cricketers have it pretty good, undoubtedly.

Why is that so different to a worker who after several years is made redundant? That worker must re-skill, and find employment but generally does not have the luxury of having had the ability to amass a nest egg to tide him (or her) over. The worker also does not have access to the "old boy" network either.

One man's greed is another's profit, and given a profit, a consumer's choice. I can't say I'll be watching, mind, nor can I imagine the players involved will look back on their careers and reflect wistfully on the result. It is the prerogative of Australia and England to choose who they want to play though, and even half-hearted attempts to reform the archaic program of bilateral tours for profit that is used to organise cricket into something more equitable and context driven has been firmly beaten back by the major powers. If the ICC implemented the Woolf review we might see some progress, but while the ICC remains a "club" for pushing the me, me agenda of a few nations, we'll have to put up with it.

Rabbitz, I managed to spend 42 years in the workforce without having my soul destroyed. But I take your point. Professional cricketers have, what, 15 years to cash in? Fifteen years of devoting themselves to a sport that may not open any doors to a second career when they hit 35. Not every pro cricketer can squeeze into a commentary box, although there's always umpiring and coaching I suppose. But the choice is theirs to make.

DC, like I said, greed is the obvious reason. And yes, it governs professional sport. Too much is never enough. Two teams are touring England this year to play three-Test series . . . West Indies and South Africa. Australia will tour England next year to play a five-Test Ashes series. The source of my bafflement is why Australia is also visiting England in 2012 to play five one-day matches. Can't see the point of it myself. No doubt the ECB will be happy.

I'm pretty sure the likes of Michael Clarke would gladly take the option of playing international cricket over doing what most of the rest of us have to commit to in earning a living. He (and his team mates) are paid very well to do something they enjoy doing - no sympathy due or given. My guess for the ODI series against England is as a warm-up of sorts for the London Olympics, to wet the sporting appetite.

Greed? Umm...perhaps it's because Australia is one of the touring teams for the English summer? Like South Africa is? They're also playing against Ireland which could be seen as being beneficial for the expansion of the game. If you want to apply your 'greed' test more broadly...perhaps all sport is based on greed these days.

Recently, in a relaxed social setting, I had the opportunity to ask a senior Cricket Australia official why the one-day series against England had been scheduled this year. Before he could answer, someone arrived at the door. We never did return to the issue. Does anyone know why this series is happening? Other than the obvious reason: greed?

Oh, cry me a river. In my working life I've pulled mangled bodies out of ditches, drowning victims out of irrigation canals, cut suicides down off clothes lines, been spat on, kicked in the face, had my life and that of my family threatened on numerous occasions and called every insult in the English language...just to name a few things. Yet I don't make in a year what some of them would make in 1 or 2 test matches. Geez, I'm glad I don't play cricket for a living...doing something that I love, the millions of dollars and the swimwear model girlfriend in the stands must be a real drag.

Yes, I'm not exactly overwhelmed with pity - all of them make a choice after all. And if I even think I hear one word of complaint from any player who has taken part in the IPL then I will refuse them any sympathy for the rest of their career. In answer to your last question Kersi - how is this different to having Sri Lanka come out for the ODI comp in Australia this past summer?

Hello Kersi, Yes, this is something we have discussed before, so much cricket, something has to give. We live in a world of more & more quantity. But at some point the quality suffers. I don't feel so much that they're overworked, rather I'm concerned that we fans will end up with an increasingly dumbed down product. Through over-use.....