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Why I don't like... May / June Test Tours
Yes it's the international calendar, yes it's the new Test playing nations and yes it allows some attention to be paid to the neglected ODI format, but I just don't like May / June Test tours. They've hardly started before they're finished.
One of the joys of a Test series is the development of personalities, the slow dissection of weaknesses (psychological and technical) and the consequent narrative arc that runs from June to September. Who doesn't want to see how many problems a now fit Fidel can cause England's top order or whether England will ever dismiss Chanderpaul (right)? But we can't, because tomorrow is the last day of the Windies' Test Tour and that's your lot!
If we must host two touring teams each year, let's play the ODI stuff in early-May and early-September and leave the heart of the Summer for the heart of the matter - Test cricket.
[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]
June 18, 2007 in English cricket, ICC, rules, bodies etc, West Indies in England, 2007, Why I don't like... | Permalink | 
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Comments
I agree completely. Especially this year, with the our starting so soon after the World Cup debacle
Posted by: lee calvert | 18 Jun 2007 13:31:47
Personally I'd add the entire concept of back-to-back Test matches as well. Quite apart from the injury absences that these throw up, how can we, the public be expected to be ready again for another 5-day match with only a few days between the end of one and beginning of the next?
Posted by: clare | 18 Jun 2007 15:18:59
The back-to-back Tests concept appears to be despised by everyone - so why have them? Ah... money. I see.
Posted by: The Tooting Trumpet | 18 Jun 2007 16:00:26
They now have at least four days between Tests, finish on a Monday to start again on the Friday and remember not that many Tests go the distance these days (weather permitting). I think the important factor is for the teams to have a decent run in to the First Test to find their feet and for this I would schedule the ODI rubbish first or have one ODI triangular tournament per summer.
Posted by: bushnumpty | 18 Jun 2007 16:40:07
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