While the Cricket World Cup is about to start, no doubt the administrators at Cricket Australia HQ are already contemplating their fixtures for the 2015-16 season.
A big decision needs to be made.
Next Summer sees New Zealand touring for three Tests in November/December and the West Indies here for three Tests in December/January, according to the ICC Future Tour Programme.
The Kiwis have agreed to play Australia in the inaugural Day/Night Test match, likely to be at Adelaide or Hobart.
The order of these series’ needs to be changed. Frankly , the West Indies don’t deserve the prime spot of the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests.
Their best batsman will be 41-years-old, their captain is a virtually unknown bowling all-rounder (can you name him?) and Chris Gayle is always only a 50 per cent chance to turn up in between Twenty20 and social appearances.
And what would the ramifications be if the players went on strike and went home without playing, like they did in India last year?
The Windies aren’t worth the risk. Make the move now and schedule them earlier. Make the Kiwis the main act.
They could well be returning to Australia as reigning World Cup champions. The Day/Night Test could still be played as the opening Test of the series.
Surely in Adelaide, the South Australians would no doubt pack out the Adelaide Oval for the historic occasion, followed by good crowds at the MCG and SCG Tests. The Windies would still play in Brisbane, Perth and Hobart.
The Blackcaps have arguably their best team since the mid 1980s. While the team superbly captained by Stephen Fleming in 2001-02 took it right up to Australia in the drawn series, and the Ross Taylor-led team won the second and final Test at Hobart in 2011, this looks the best New Zealand team to challenge Australia since the Richard Hadlee/Martin Crowe era.
Their batting stars in Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson match up well against our Dave Warner, Michael Clarke and Steve Smith.
Young opener Tom Latham shows plenty of promise. Their all-rounders Corey Anderson and Jimmy Neesham have both impressed at Test level.
Watling has probably been the best performed wicket – keeper/batsman in Test cricket for the past 12 months.
Mark Craig is a reliable, orthodox off-spinner who has had some outstanding performances at Test level. He is very much like Nathan Lyon.
And with Boult, Southee, Bracewell, Wagner and Milne, there is more depth in Kiwi fast bowling ranks than at most stages of their history.
This will be a marquee series that should be played at the marquee time. The decline of the West Indies is universally lamented and sadly there seems no light at the end of the tunnel.
The Kiwis last played a Test at the MCG in 1987/88, when Mike Whitney famously blocked out an over from Richard Hadlee to draw the Test.
They deserve the chance, particularly with the team they are putting out now, the play on Boxing Day at the ‘G once again.
The only stumbling block may come in the form of a South Africa-like decision to keep Boxing Day for themselves and play at home.
And given the recent resurgence in Test match crowds in the land of the long white cloud, especially in the Xmas holiday period, New Zealand may be reluctant to play in Australia at this time.
Let’s hope it happens. Both countries have everything to gain from a more higher profile Trans-Tasman series.
Bomb78
Guest
It won't happen until Cricket Australia sign a contract to return the favour by playing a Boxing Day test in New Zealand. Which will be never.
tinfoil hat
Guest
As much as I am enjoying NZ's resurgence as a test team, watching them destroy Scotland with a superb display of swing bowling makes me think that it may not be in NZ's best interests to play on the Hume Hwy extensions that make up the test pitches in both Melbourne and Sydney. NZ have a genuine quick and some excellent swing bowlers in the 140-135 kph zone. Their best chance for victory at the venues when there is the possibility of some swing and/or movement off the pitch - Hobart being the best of these. The Australian batting line-up (like most teams) is susceptible to the moving ball, and if the the conditions suit, NZ has an attack that could make significant inroads into the Aussie batting order. The Kookaburra ball is not much help, going out of shape, not swinging after 6 overs or so and what not (hello Duke?), but the smaller venues certainly imho offer a greater chance for NZ to press the Aussies.
Captain's Pick
Guest
Yes, this should happen - no doubt about it. The Kiwi achilles heel in times gone by has been the inconsistency of their top order, with the middle/lower order needing to (and often doing so) dig them out of holes. That's hardly the case anymore - though they did turn 5-93 into 5-360 vs Sri Lanka a few weeks back (also won the 2nd test by plenty after appearing gone for all money). If anything, they resemble a typical modern-day Australian team - top/middle-order batting depth and good pace bowling options. Even when they're behind the eight-ball, they rarely seem 'beaten'. One question - when must next summer's schedule be finalised? If it's not until the end of March, there could be a re-think. As alluded to, we may (and I think will) see a Trans-Tasman showdown on March 29th @ the G. This could perhaps persuade the powers that be. It actually also seems a little insulting to an emerging NZ outfit when a barely-competitive team whose players may go on strike is given premier billing instead. While there's a certain romanticism attached to Australia-West Indies battles on the big stage, it sadly belongs to a bygone era. It's time to move on.
Luke Reynolds
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the welcome and comments. New Zealand playing at the 'G probably won't happen. But would be far better to watch than the Windies. Maybe Ireland are available??
Sylvester
Guest
Pretty sure we'd ditch Boxing Day here in a heartbeat for a crack at the Aussies. The test in Chch would have barely covered the cost of running it.
Sandy
Guest
Aren't NZ hosting Sri Lanka in Dec/Jan? What is the solution there...oh yeah, they can run along and play the Windies. BUT, if NZ want to keep Boxing Day for themselves and play at home… well, just forget it CA and stick to the schedule.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
SH vs SH games should be rare events, but if it's to be 2x series of 3 test matches then surely the best ranked team should get the Boxing Day and New Years test matches unless their home scheduling doesn't warrant it (as the South Africans did in 2012-13 season when they played in Australia in November then hosted NZ in January).
Boulty
Guest
Actually i heard a few months ago on radiosport when David White(CEO NZC) was interviewed,he was hoping in the near future that NZ would be considered for a boxing day test,in his words-its not all about the money its about the challange refering to not hosting our own boxing day test so heres hopeing someday soon.
Kingcowboy
Guest
ha ha, nice one MJ, really nice!
Clark
Guest
We only wanted to host our own because Australian cricket seems to have no interest in playing us and only want to play India and England.
Jo M
Guest
I agree, but I would say that like South Africa, New Zealand want their own test on Boxing Day. Can't ever see any of the Aussie grounds giving up their tests to go overseas and NZ and SA are probably the same.
Bobbo7
Guest
Good article. Aussie fans want to see a contest and I thuink this NZ would give them one. it ahs been decades since NZ has had such a good team and so well lead and coached. Williamson is the find of the century for NZ. Only 24 and making runs in handfuls. He also has the mental strengh that has been missing in so many of our young players WI will not be competative for 5 days. This NZ side will. Come on CA, give NZ a proper series I can't believe there has not been an MCG test since the 80s - disgraceful.
SP
Guest
Time to give the Kiwis a crack. They appear to have a decent team now. Lets see what they're made of. A Boxing Day test against NZ would only be surpassed by a Boxing Day test against England.
moaman
Guest
It's disgraceful that NZ haven't played in Melbourne since that epic draw. Surely aussie fans get sick of watching the same opposition year after year? This is definitely the BEST NZ squad I have seen--more depth than that mid-80s side.The fast-bowling stocks are overflowing and providing the Selectors with difficult choices.My only regret regarding personnel is that Ryder has proven unable to be rehabilitated.NZ's pool is too small to lose a batsman of his calibre without it hurting. I would love to see Sothee and Boult with the new ball-the first morning on a steamy day at the 'Gabba...
John
Guest
They would make a lot more money of playing in Australia at the MCG on Boxing Day, believe me.
matth
Guest
I could not agree more
Sideline Comm.
Guest
It's a good idea Luke, and I'd certainly like to see it, but I fear it's not that easy. I think you'll find the Windies getting those big time test matches was part of the deal struck between the WICB and CA which allows the Aussies a test series before the Ashes (which is very important for preparation). Without giving them the boxing day and New Year's test, we wouldn't get the important series in June.
Rich
Guest
You will never see New Zealand or South Africa on Boxing Day as they want to host their own Boxing Day Test match.
MJ
Guest
I know who Jason Holder is, but he'd be busy both captaining the Windies and riding the top weight at Morphettville.....
Riccardo
Guest
A valid point well articulated Luke. For the record I think NZ Cricket would also like to contest those bigger matches. Our Test team has its foot on the accelerator and at the very least will provide a sterner examination than the hapless West Indies. And that's before you chuck in the trans-Tasman factor. :)