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.
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.
Samuel Laffy
Roar Guru
It's why I can't quite get my head around baseball fans in the USA. They have 182-game seasons. How on earth can you begin to care about whether your team wins or loses when there's 182 chances for either to happen in a season!
Samuel Laffy
Roar Guru
I enjoyed the day-night test purely because the pitch was deliberately curated so that the bowlers had assistance. There was an even contest between bat and ball - and that was what made it great, the fact that it was a day-night test was a happy coincidence. If you turn put a 'road' for a day-night test, it will be just as dreary as if it took place during the day.
Samuel Laffy
Roar Guru
I would argue that it does help NZ cricket to have them warm-up effectively to Australian conditions - after all, beating Australia would be a huge boost to them and their cricket. Trophy fatigue I do agree with - it's all well and good to pick two 'legends' of each team and slap together a trophy, but it doesn't mean anything if there's a trophy for EVERY single series - whether it be a 5-test series or a useless three-ODI series.
Russ
Guest
I'm not convinced by the arguments here. Some teams played warmups in the past - England and the West Indies did, and the former still does - but others are touring within their own season, and understandably want to keep the tours as short as possible. It doesn't help international cricket in NZ to have them playing warm-ups in Australia. And in any case, they won't lack for match practice and form playing at home, only for the conditions. The larger issue is trophy fatigue. Getting behind one or two competitions is possible. It is asking a lot to care for four trophies and invariably a couple will rate as lower profile and less important. Four though, is an improvement. In recent years two touring teams have played for six trophies (one in each format). Splitting tours in different formats is a good thing in my opinion. The more diverse the tourists the better. In (my) optimal scenario, we'd host a short tournament rather than an ODI/T20 series, with eight sides (including NZ), as part of a broader global touring programme (single trophy). Similarly with test matches. Hopefully the ICC will make reforms that reduce the number of trophies and add a bit of context that makes up for the patchy the quality of the opposition.
Christov
Guest
I think the ODI's vs NZ are great. I remember when we had the Chappell-Handley games more often and they were often quite competitive. I'd like the ODI's to all be in a bunch but hey the almighty dollar rules the world of cricket (and the world in general) so I am happy that they are at least playing NZ again. I am still yet to be sold on day-light tests. it was like getting fed communist propaganda watching the last one with 9 vocally saying how great it was every 30 seconds. Yeah I was great I got to watch an extra session when I would have missed all the days play when working weekdays, which is a plus. But still yet to be sold on it as a regular fixture. If it was up to 9 all tests would be day-night except for Perth when they can telecast during prime time into the eastern states anyway.
Bob Sims
Guest
Too much of a good thing often kills it off. Wait for it!