They had two months off in between the NZ and England tours though. They also had a week off when they got back from England, and the players who play both forms had a week off during the VB Series. Moreover, Australian cricketers earn a retainer between $620 000 - $150 000. For that sort of money, you have to expect to play a reasonable number of games. You should expect to be pretty tired at the end of the season. Their argument is also undermined by some of the players then shooting off to play county cricket in the off-season.vic_orthdox said:It's been a pretty constant program for the last 18 months, though. From top of my head, since the last home summer...
Home vs NZ
ODIs (Chappell-Hadlee)
Home vs Pak
ODIs (VB)
ODIs
Away vs NZ
ODIs (tri series)
ODIs (vs Eng)
Away vs Eng
Home vs World XI
Home vs WI
Home vs SA
ODIs
Away vs SA
ODIs (vs SA)
Away vs Bang
ODIs (vs Bang)
Now, I'm sure that some of the other countries have had just as hectic a schedule, but it's still a lil over the top, IMO. I think there has to be a happy medium.
Well they then hop over to England to play County or club Cricket, thus tiring themselves outJames said:I guess my point is, how can New Zealand and Australian players complain about it when they get a huge six months off?
howardj said:They had two months off in between the NZ and England tours though. They also had a week off when they got back from England, and the players who play both forms had a week off during the VB Series. Moreover, Australian cricketers earn a retainer between $620 000 - $150 000. For that sort of money, you have to expect to play a reasonable number of games. You should expect to be pretty tired at the end of the season.
They haven't had one recently. Between the New Zealand and Pakistan tours of Australia and the current series against Bangladesh, there's been no "off season" period for the Australian players at all. The longest break they've had would be between the tour of New Zealand and the Ashes, which was only a short while.howardj said:when don't they?
Two months.FaaipDeOiad said:They haven't had one recently. Between the New Zealand and Pakistan tours of Australia and the current series against Bangladesh, there's been no "off season" period for the Australian players at all. The longest break they've had would be between the tour of New Zealand and the Ashes, which was only a short while.