Administrators have copped justified fire for scheduling three Ashes series in two years, yet there is even stronger ammunition for critics when the frequency of ODI clashes between Australia and England is examined.
It has got to the point where announcing Australia will be playing England is nearly as redundant as James Brayshaw’s “gone into the people” remark whenever a six is scored.
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Here is a list of ODI competitions in which Australia has faced England since September 2009 (not including matches at major ICC tournaments, such as the World Cup and the Champions Trophy):
Overkill for commercial reasons isn’t a new phenomena. In 1979-80, the season of rapprochement between World Series Cricket and official cricket, England joined the West Indies as the touring teams for a long and trying summer, forcing the postponement of India’s visit.
Pretending that England’s priority status when it comes to ODI cricket is new would be unfounded. However, never before has it reached these lengths.
This proliferation also hasn’t resulted in more tight series. With the exception of the series after the 2013 Ashes, none of the aforementioned series were close, supporting the hypothesis that a break will heighten spectator interest.
Ambrose Bierce once said “War is God’s way of teaching Americans geography.” If cricket administrators don’t reverse current trends, the refrain could soon read, “World Cups are God’s way of reminding Cricket Australia and the ECB of other ODI sides.”
sd
Guest
odi cricket is still better than t20 ! and australia is dominating cricket once again all because of odi ,khawaja to replace finch and chris lynn instead of george ''old'' bailey in odi vs england.
peeeko
Guest
agree, we need to stress more important on everyone as it builds a bigger international cricket scene. i was referring to Ashes being the holy grail and the series that everything should be geared around
Johnno
Guest
The Bush This Ashes being moved to help England, is a farce. The poms have now backflipped it, and it's the aussies who have too world cup then tour England,now we have to put up with the big traveload,away from home. How is that fair? It's mysteriously too tough for England to keep on doing, but mysteriously okay for the aussies to do. at 2019 WC in England aussies will play the WC then straight after do the Ashes.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Agreed, sick to death of India and England. Let's play New Zealand more, and lets invite Sri Lanka over, and the Windies, and even Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. It would only improve world cricket. I'd say invite Bangladesh and Zim for an Australia A tour, but it seems condescending.
Targa
Guest
Should be playing some ODIs in Ireland
The Bush
Roar Guru
We definately have played England far too many times in recent years. I understand that the Ashes had to be moved for the World Cup (sort of...), but why are we then playing them again so soon, why not next year? As for the all the ODIs, who knows. I see that Zimbabwe is now touring Pakistan soon as the first team to do so in six years. This is fantastic, as it would be great to add Pakistan back to the touring program, as the issue at the moment is only England and India are "viable" winter touring spots, as RSA and New Zealand share our season and the Windies have become a joke...
Max
Guest
Playing India wouldn't be any better. How about more NZ, SA or Pak? Or heaven forbid inviting a few minnows around for a game outside of a tournament
peeeko
Guest
i am in the minority but i am sick of playing England, i am waiting for the day that we can beat India in India