While recent conversation has centred on next summer’s packed international schedule and potential Big Bash League expansion, the recent announcement of the Test squad to tour South Africa arguably highlights a greater fixture problem.
The squad, which boasts the luxury of a reserve spinner (Jon Holland), is scarce in potential openers to partner David Warner following an 11th-hour injury to Joe Burns. Peter Handscomb, having been dropped after the Adelaide Test match, is the only reserve batsman, with a move up the order for Shaun Marsh a possibility should the under-fire Cameron Bancroft lose form.
Meanwhile in-form Victorian Glenn Maxwell has once again been left out, while Chadd Sayers has voiced his disappointment at not being part of the touring party at the expense of bolter Jhye Richardson.
These selections call into question the problems associated with the summer’s fixture, with the most recent round of Sheffield Shield concluding almost two months ago on 6 December.
While the last three Ashes Tests have taken place since, those not involved have been stuck plying their trade in the BBL or grade cricket to maintain some red-ball form.
(AAP Image/Darren England)
The recent selections reflect this problem, with Richardson’s outstanding recent performances in limited overs cricket boosting his case despite having only five first-class matches to his name. Richardson and Sayers have each taken 17 wickets in the Sheffield Shield this season, with the West Australian’s recent form and superior pace separating the pair.
Similarly the lack of red-ball cricket for Maxwell and Matt Renshaw, along with the Burns injury, has ultimately seen the selectors stick with the incumbent reserve batsman in Handscomb.
This fixture problem is not new, with Marsh selected for the 2011 Boxing Day Test on the back of Big Bash form. The decision backfired, with the left-hander scoring just 17 runs across the four Border-Gavaskar Tests.
This summer Jackson Bird provided another example of this fixture dilemma with his unsavoury figures of 0/108 in the Boxing Day Test coming on the back of a 20-day break since his last first-class match.
But what can Cricket Australia do? The Big Bash is far too popular and profitable to move from the prime holiday timeslot, meaning that the break in Sheffield Shield is necessary. Ultimately an alternative red-ball competition must be made available to select players on the fringe of Test selection as an alternative to the BBL.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
The same red-ball break is present in the New Zealand domestic summer, presenting a potential solution for Cricket Australia. Throughout the December-January period the two nations can organise two or three four-day games between their respective ‘Test Second XI’ sides, giving players the opportunity to maintain a push for selection.
Such a proposal would give players a choice, allowing them to decide which games they choose to participate in and providing a high-quality opposition. The close proximity of New Zealand minimises travel, allowing for players to also play some Big Bash games, ensuring minimal impact on the marquee competition.
The main problem is the lack of Test cricket played by New Zealand, with only four Test matches scheduled from March 2017 to October 2O18. However, the inevitable introduction of a World Test Cricket championship will give the Kiwi’s more to play for at Test level, and encourage them to develop against Australian opposition.
While Big Bash franchises may bemoan the loss of players such as Maxwell, Burns, Marcus Stoinis, Hilton Cartwright and Ashton Agar, their sporadic absence would allow for new talent to emerge, which has been one of the major success stories of the BBL so far.
Ultimately having Test match contenders playing four-day matches is for the greater good of Australian cricket, which must be prioritised above the needs of a domestic T20 competition.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Its an interesting idea, but i'm not sure too many players would get on board. The unfortunate reality is, no matter what else is done the BBL will be placed in the middle of the summer, and that will be problematic in any schedule. At least someone who is complaining about the scheduling is putting up an idea. I've seen a lot of complaints on here, but no fixes.
AREH
Roar Guru
I don't know if it's about taking them out, but rather giving players an option if they would prefer to hone their red-ball game during that time. It is probably unlikely to work however, because how many players will actually choose that over the prospect of big dollars in 8 weeks of BBL cricket? Probably not many
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
So, let me get this right, you would take all the best BBL players out of the BBL for some meaningless red-ball cricket, kill their chance at being able to turn a good BBL into a life-changing IPL contract and leave us with a BBL competition that's largely played by club cricketers? Because, make no mistake, players like Sayers, who aren't playing BBL are very much the exceptions when you are putting together that second eleven. The vast majority are not only playing BBL but are among the top players in that. This has to be one of the craziest suggestions I've seen. I get that there are issues with the blocking of the season, come the ODI's in January and it's months since anyone has played any 50-over cricket too. But like it or not, T20 tournaments are here to stay, and the BBL isn't going anywhere. (The big issue is CA's talk about extending it even more. I think it should probably actually go back to the length it's been prior to this year, making it longer was a bad move, but they seem to be thinking of going the other way and making it a full home and away season).
Rellum
Roar Guru
Really. In the nearly 40 years of involvement in cricket selection and pitches were always discussed. The recent Ashes series had loads of talk about the Tests them selves. You are way off the mark with your comments or you are rolling with a T. There has been a slight spike in talk about dangerous pitches since P.Hughes. That does not mean people has lost interest in the game,
Bakkies
Guest
The Australia A program needs to be looked at as the Chairman's XI games against touring sides rarely feature players on the fringe of selection to show their wares and the A tour to SA was sacrificed in the strike.
Bakkies
Guest
You can't have test and ODI without state level players that recruit from the grade competitions that are run by the state associations. It doesn't matter if state Cricket losses money as you have to run it to support the golden goose.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Instead of the endless CAXI's I would rather them expand the futures league so that guys like Sayers can play in FC games whilst the big bash is on. That would also give the chance to overlooked grade players to actually get a look in and a chance to show their talents. That or the BBL should expand into a reserve grade.
AREH
Roar Guru
It's a logical and interesting concept, and I quite like it. I also think it is risky mainly because; What if there is little interest from the majority of players, as the incentive is nowhere near as great as the prospect of earning big dollars for 7-8 weeks of BBL cricket. Then again, that depends where the individual has their priorities - look at Mitch Marsh turning down a likely hefty IPL pay day to firm up his game in English conditions with an eye to next year's Ashes. A lack of interest from notable players in the proposed competition might mean a lack of interest from fans too. It's already going to be difficult enough compeing with the BBL from an audience perspective.
Jermayn
Guest
also blokes who are not in the BBL teams like Sayers
mattyb
Guest
Jeznez,maybe. I do think though that off field issues were being discussed prior and during the Indian tour,and prioritized over the game. Off field issues were certainly being discussed prior and during the Ashes,most of which proved to be completely wrong,the armchairs were proven clueless.Even leading up to this SA tour we are having articles about pitches that are rightfully beyond our control. Why do you think people like Ronan or Lord never talk actual cricket? It's because it's not in their interest to do so. No clicks in the game itself anymore unfortunately. As a traditionalist I'd like to hear more positive talk about the onfield game,but unfortunately it's not forthcoming. Fans have even been reluctant to acknowledge the brilliance of players like Mitch Marsh which is extraordinary. Test cricket in my eyes has no future. Traditionalists know it but they need to stop complaining if they want the game to survive.
The Big Red V
Guest
Who would forgo it?? Try someone trying to break into the test team and there are plenty of those blokes about.
Bakkies
Guest
The BBL profitable? So why did the ACB say it is running at a $30 million dollar shortfall?
Bakkies
Guest
There are players who forgo the BBL or like Renshaw who are in BBL squads but not selected they are stuck playing grade Cricket. SA have their T20 comp done in December they should look for games there. No it won't be solved in the nets as there substitute for match practice.
mattyb
Guest
Really Rellum? When they're not discussing the on field happenings at all about test cricket Have you noticed in the BBL people actually talk cricket? In test cricket we discuss New Idea type things,rather ironic since the Packers promoted one day cricket as well as woman's magazines. Test cricket and the love of the game is dead,even amongst traditionalists,why do you think authors and commentators no longer talk about onfield cricket?
Bakkies
Guest
Australia has a practice match scheduled for Feb 22 in Benoni so ideally the squad needs to be in SA by the 15th.
Tom Atkinson
Roar Pro
Terrible idea mate, who in their right mind would forgo big bash cricket to play a second X1 game. We know the problem exists, let's set about figuring out how to adjust in the nets.
JamesH
Roar Guru
'Test match cricket is dying' Yep, that's why we got the biggest overall ashes attendance since Bradman retired (before TV), despite the final two tests being dead rubbers. Oh and BBL crowds were apparently down on last season.
JamesH
Roar Guru
To clarify, I like the idea too. I'm just making the point that if BBL teams were losing key players for these matches they would spit the dummy. CA needs to review its scheduling anyway, so there's no reason why they couldn't look at this as part of such a review.
Rellum
Roar Guru
People talking about pitches and selections is a sign of interest, not apathy.
mattyb
Guest
Paul,I'm also a fan of the traditional game but can you explain why traditional fans no longer take an interest? Even to get interest in the next series we have commentators focusing on SA pitches rather than the series that's forthcoming,as well as promoting players not picked over those who are. Do you not think commentators know that traditional fans are no longer interested in the onfield happenings of red ball cricket? I love the nuances of test cricket also,but we are the past,just look at comments during a test series,nothing is onfield.