Australia played a few ODIs against India earlier in the year, right? It wasn’t some strange, pointless dream I had where Cricket Australia agreed to three matches that bifurcated the summer after they saw all the money the BCCI loaded up on trucks?
What was at stake apart from viewership numbers?
Anyway, I say this because we are now on the eve of a tour of South Africa that arrives more as a distraction than anything meaningful.
It will consist of three T20s, three ODIs and a grand total of zero Test matches.
It makes what used to be an intense and definitive rivalry more like a stopover. Sure, the return of David Warner and Steve Smith for the first time since the Newlands scandal will gather the requisite interest, but it won’t exactly have the righteous fire that it may have had a few months ago.
If anything, that embarrassing period has only strengthened the side, the culture and the team mentality. It’s not like Warner or Smith have been struggling since returning to the side (Warner’s horrible Ashes notwithstanding).
The lack of Test matches dilutes the meaningfulness of the series, while the chopping and changing of players across different formats lessens the honour of being selected for your country. When there are so many ways to play, and so many times to play, mediocrity will eventually prevail.
Not that this Aussie squad is mediocre – it may be the strongest in years across all formats.
A balanced and in-form batting order complemented by possibly the best bowling attack in the world, backed up by an attitude of dedication, commitment and comradeship instilled by coach Justin Langer. It’s a team we can be proud of, both morally and from a competitive standpoint.
Unfortunately, Cricket Australia – and the ICC to a larger extent – are still struggling to figure out a schedule that shows off the best of these players, and give more series the spotlight instead of just another in a long line of matches that consistently struggle for relevance.
South Africa are coming off a subpar summer against New Zealand and England that culminated in Faf du Plessis’ recent resignation as Test and one-day captain.
AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Meanwhile, Australia has been like Dante in The Divine Comedy – in purgatory, waiting for the Big Bash competition to finally end, the Sheffield Shield creaking back to life, and the women’s national team gearing up for the T20 World Cup.
Less is sometimes more, but money matters, and it brings not just more revenue but more crowds. The interest might seem flat but at least there’s a wider scope for that interest to grow.
The slow burn growth of the women’s game certainly helps. Each match carries weight, and with the added exposure it’s becoming more than just a curiosity.
Oddly enough, the newly minted professionalism of the women’s game is perfectly placed to take advantage of the glut of T20 matches, transforming them from frivolous, candy-coated entertainment to the creation of a tradition and emotional resonance.
For so long barely a footnote, the women’s side is in prime position to harness the popularity of T20 without any of the sprawling and intimidating lore of Test and ODI cricket that still defines the majority of the men’s game.
They haven’t had anything else, and now they have this. Do you really think the women’s game – from the players to the coaches, the administrative bodies and broadcasters – would really let this opportunity slip from their grasp?
It’s no longer simply a celebration for women to be front and centre like they are, talent and emotion on full display. There are expectations and competition. Analysis and criticism to come with it. Crossing over from ‘just happy to be here’ to ‘can Alyssa Healy climb out of her worrying form slump’.
It throws into sharp relief the sheer amount of games the men’s team play across all formats, and the reduction of Test matches – they play only two more before next summer, when India once again come down to tour.
The demise of international cricket is grossly unfair and far from happening, but these constant dalliances of a few games here and there create a lack of distinction and engagement that the various governing bodies have to address.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
NZ is hosting India in Feb and South Africa is hosting India from 2nd week of March. Australia's scheduling has to be respectful to scheduling in other countries to meet their own home summer requirements (which is the same season as Australia). No doubt SA would love to host Aus in their Boxing Day Test, but can't see that ever happening.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
"New Zealand was ranked second in the world for test cricket hence why they got the prized Boxing Day and New Year’s test," NZ's tour running 2nd week Dec 2019 to 1st week of Jan 2020 was scheduled in the FTP ratified by national Boards in late 2017 and officially released June 2018. NZ's rise to #2 ranking in 2019 wasn't a factor on scheduling.
Cari
Roar Rookie
You may well be right on you point about in confusion for selectors in the World Cup. Predicting the result of a game before a bowl has been bowled has always made us look like fools at times, having said that my views, for what there worth, are that I would never go for five bowlers. All bowlers in the last series have gone round the park despite both teams have some good bowlers both pace and spin. Finally, Bavuma the South African opening bat has been a real find for them and a great fielder to boot. Watch out for him.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:shocked: :silly:
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm not hugely fussed about the Saffers tour Micko,as this is obviously at the back end of the Australian cricket summer and, as you rightly point out, we need to make sure we're helping them financially. The Indian tour brought the cricket summer to a screeching halt for me though and I'd really like to know why this tour had to take place then. If the trade off is their tour later this year, then CA needs to tell us that, but it's safe to say the past few weeks have been a real fizzer on the cricket front, especially if you're not a fan of the BBL - like me.
Nicholas Anthony
Roar Rookie
New Zealand was ranked second in the world for test cricket hence why they got the prized Boxing Day and New Year's test, but wilted spectacularly. Pakistan has been a basketcase for a while but at the same time they have a lot of young exciting cricketers that seem to give a damn about test cricket. T20 is the major format in terms of popularity and with good reason. The atmosphere, shots, and plays can be spectacular, it's just still so new and there's so much player movement in the domestic competitions that it's hard to really get an attachment to who's playing and what they're playing for. Test cricket has constantly gone through these ebbs and flows, it's up to the governing bodies around the world to invest smartly in all three formats and create a schedule that helps in showcasing what makes each format so fantastic.
Simoc
Guest
A bit out of your depth Nicholas, It's no doubt news to you but T20 is the main game for the vast majority of cricketers and followers throughout the world. You only had to see the performances of Pakistan & NZ here in the summer. They were hopeless and didn't really care because Test cricket is for the old timers (like me). We need a Oz vs India, vs England, vs South Africa every year with the other games as back ups. SA may slip off the test front shortly to. T20s are more fun and less wear and tear for bowlers and the batters get paid more for a golden duck than a five day s of torture in the sun for sfa.
Micko
Roar Rookie
To be fair Paul, India is coming back for four Tests, first one at the Gabba, and a D/N Test at Adelaide Oval. South Africa are going to come over and apparently are going to take the MCG & SCG Boxing Day/New Year's Tests slot when they've previously refused in the last few years. So probably as part of these compromises we're playing more random ODI's/T20's against these two to help boost their coffers.
Paul
Roar Guru
Your explanation makes perfect sense, Brian and if you're right, then fair enough. I guess my issue is CA not giving out a proper reason as you've done. They could diplomatically leave out the part about "sins of their predecessors", but still tell us why the Indian & South African tours are timed as they are. I might not like the reasoning, but at least I'll know.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
The women might be front and centre to some extent as far as cricket goes, but they still have to compete with the womens football at the same time. Pretty much like the men will when the Kiwi's come back in March and the footy codes start. Crazy scheduling.
Brian
Guest
But CA don't entirely control the scheduling they only control one of the two teams that play. Other teams need to agree too. The tour of India was done so India agree to come here next summer (again) CA are paying for the sins of their previous administrators who along with the ECB and BCCI could never agree and implement a proper international calender.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I would suggest there isn’t any longer term trend of more ODIs and T20s vs fewer Tests. This just happens to be one year when there might be slightly fewer Tests, given it is just the two against Bangladesh prior to summer. In the past, we would typically have had a series against NZ in NZ, following up the home series against the Black Caps. Or maybe a series against the Windies, whom we haven’t played for about five years. Was it decided to rest the players a bit after a big year with the Ashes and World Cup? Or to focus more on T20s with that WC being at home? O it didn’t pan out money wise to add other tours? Would be interesting to know.
Paul
Roar Guru
Nicholas, the frustration I think many fans feel is because we're being treated like mushrooms by CA - again. They think it's perfectly okay to keep us in the dark about the reasons for scheduling. There was little or no purpose to the Indian ODI tour and this tour is in the same vein. Sure the Saffers are a good short form side at home, but what's Australia likely to get out of this tour - apart from huge amount of abuse? IMO, the scheduling for this summer has been diabolical. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there, like me, who only have a passing interest in BBL and like to see tours that have meaning. That was the case in the first half of the summer, but to me, cricket abruptly stopped on the 4th of January
Nicholas Anthony
Roar Rookie
I agree. The revenue that T20 matches generate is creating these mini tours that are there and gone in the blink of an eye. We're in England later in the year for some ODI's and T20's but that, and basically every other tour the team goes on, is just warm up for the T20 World Cup. Maybe it's time to start thinking in blocks to give each format an opportunity to shine.
Nicholas Anthony
Roar Rookie
Don't forget the ODI's and T20's in New Zealand in March with no tests in sight. I get that they have an eye on the T20 World Cup later in the year but the scheduling has been such a mess. If I could do it I would have gone: New Zealand tour start of Jan/Feb South Africa tour end of Feb into March ODI series against India in India
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
What I don't get is this "3-3" tango. I don't really see need of playing multiple formats in little pieces that doesn't instil much of interest on either format & more importantly,doesn't give it a meaning. This year there is t20 wc, play 5 match t20 series. There are long tours when these multiple formats can be played. But within short period of time trying to pack all formats in 1 place lacks meaning it requires to engage people's interest. I ain't big fan of these 3-3 short tango.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Yep truly a debacle this summer of cricket: leaving for ODI's in India in January, ODI's in SA in February, yet playing home ODI's in March! :shocked: