In a bid to revive the national side’s flagging fortunes, Cricket Australia has broken down the domestic summer into the three separate formats of the game for the first time.
And the sport’s governing body will again trial night cricket in the Sheffield Shield with a view to introducing it in Tests.
Fresh from their 3-0 Ashes defeat in England, and a 4-0 loss in India before that, Australia have slumped to fifth in the International Cricket Council Test rankings and are ranked fifth in one day internationals and seventh in Twenty20s.
In response this summer’s schedule, released by CA on Saturday, has been separated into blocks of Sheffield Shield games, domestic one-day fixtures and the Twenty20 tournament the Big Bash League.
Australia’s slide down the totem pole of world cricket has been blamed on an over-emphasis on the short forms of the game and short lead-in times to Tests, such as the one-day series in India before the return Ashes series begins in Brisbane on November 1.
CA hopes the new schedule will “mean players won’t have to switch regularly between formats over the course of summer, allowing better preparation”.
The one-day domestic tournament has been squeezed into the month of October and will be broadcast on the Nine Network’s high definition channel GEM.
While six rounds of the Sheffield Shield will be played before Christmas, three will be completed before the first Ashes Test on November 21 and the Big Bash League finals window has been brought forward by a week.
The focus has been on sharpening the domestic schedule to provide the best preparation for the Ashes series, according to CA.
“From 30 October until mid-December there will an intensive block of Sheffield Shield cricket,” CA chief executive James Sutherland said.
“All Test players will have a minimum of two and a maximum of three Shield matches to prepare for the first Ashes Test.
Most Test players will already be in Australia but any Test players returning from the India ODI series will be available for rounds two and three before they assemble for the Ashes.
“While it remains an important proving ground, the Shield isn’t the only measure used by selectors to assess Test aspirants. The Australia A program has been upgraded over the last two years to become an important step for those players seeking Australian selection, whether at Test or One-Day International level.
Round nine of the Sheffield Shield will feature a number of day night matches with pink balls as Cricket Australia seeks suitable equipment and playing conditions that will enable day-night Test cricket to be played in Australia.
Sheffield Shield cricket has been experimented with before but CA hope they are closer than ever to bringing it into the Test arena.
expathack
Guest
The question of rotation vs. long rest is a very interesting point Chris. There could definitely be something in that.
ChrisUK
Guest
Mitchell Johnson may well get in by default now. It's of course ironic that England have had stick for resting players (bowlers in particular) in this ODI series. Yet hard to say they're wrong to do so. One notable difference is that England don't rotate, they give lengthy time off. No idea if that makes a difference overall, but they do seem to have fewer fitness issues.
expathack
Guest
Four if you include the one Bird went home from India with (and has flared up again, never a good sign) There's something seriously wrong with the whole setup. No idea what the answer is.
ChrisUK
Guest
I see you're another bowler down too. What on earth is happening with them? Is that three lower back stress fractures now?
expathack
Guest
A month of one day hit and giggle in October = Ideal Ashes preparation, according to Cricket Australia. They are beyond a joke.
Don Corleone
Guest
+1
Don Corleone
Guest
I really have to laugh at the hypocrisy of so many cricket fans complaining about the loss of cities hosting domestic one-day cricket when it has been played in front of empty grounds for years. The need for change has been as a result of the blatant disregard of many of the fans doing the complaining. The new structure is more reflective of an ODI tournament and will have a defined context and narrative. A majority of games are being broadcast on free-to-air HD TV and team travel, accommodation and broadcasting costs will be kept to a minimum. With the amount of diehard born-again Ryobi Cup fans that have crawled out of the woodwork this week, you'd have to double the capacity of the MCG to contain them. With both the domestic one-day and T20 competitions on free-to-air TV, this will be a landmark season for cricket in this country.
Matt F
Roar Guru
While I can see your point, it's not as if any state has shown any interest at all in the Ryobi Cup for a long time now. I don't think they'll really miss what they never cared for anyway. Doing this brings down the TV production costs which has allowed GEM to take over broadcast rights which, if anything, probably gives the competition better access throughout the country than it had in the last few years.
josh
Roar Rookie
While the lack of state one day cricket is disappointing, having nearly every game back on TV is a god send. As kid in 90's growing up watching a game every Sunday was great, you got to know other players in the State system. Having that opportunity again to watch a state game every other day in October, can't wait.
David
Guest
Have to agree. Any other CEO who had presided over such a dramatic fall in performance would be looking for a new job but it seems CA rewards this administrator regardless of the results. I'm involved in grass roots cricket and the system is a joke. They are introducing yet another "brand" to attract kids to the sport but there is nothing for the talented kids - no coaching, no facilities, no funding. It has all become about the numbers and performance doesn't count!!!
Felix
Guest
Wow, way to starve the rest of the states of 50 over cricket. Nice work. Until Sutherland is sacked, I have zero confidence in the administration of this sport in Australia.