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Ideal tour lengths

Craig

World Traveller
I was having this discussion with Richard on MSN last Sunday where we both agreeded that the 7 ODIs England play against South Africa is pointless and boardering on overkill, and could become meaningless and pointless if a side is 4-0 up and not really worth watching (unless the games are any good).

Unless we have an a crowded program, I would prefer if the ideal length of a Test series of 3 Tests and 5 ODIs with one or two first class matcheslasting about 6 weeks.

Personally I would only like to see five Test series between England, South Africa, and England. I don't see why the West Indies deserve to play four or five Test series against these three countries when they hardly look beating them until the series is over and the only result is pride for the WI. Hey if it is good enough for other countries to play three Test series against Australia, England, and South Africa, then it is good for the West Indies. Maybe have a longer series when they actually show they justify it.

If playing against Zimbabwe or Bangladesh, two Tests and about 4 ODIs should be enough. Against anybody else, playing two Tests (again if programs don't conflict) is unacceptable IMO.
 

Josh

International Regular
Craig said:
I was having this discussion with Richard on MSN last Sunday where we both agreeded that the 7 ODIs England play against South Africa is pointless and boardering on overkill, and could become meaningless and pointless if a side is 4-0 up and not really worth watching (unless the games are any good).

Unless we have an a crowded program, I would prefer if the ideal length of a Test series of 3 Tests and 5 ODIs with one or two first class matcheslasting about 6 weeks.

Personally I would only like to see five Test series between England, South Africa, and England. I don't see why the West Indies deserve to play four or five Test series against these three countries when they hardly look beating them until the series is over and the only result is pride for the WI. Hey if it is good enough for other countries to play three Test series against Australia, England, and South Africa, then it is good for the West Indies. Maybe have a longer series when they actually show they justify it.

If playing against Zimbabwe or Bangladesh, two Tests and about 4 ODIs should be enough. Against anybody else, playing two Tests (again if programs don't conflict) is unacceptable IMO.
Indeed 2 tests against the "proper" test nations is absurd! What does it achieve?? Nothing. If the series is 1-1... what the hell??

Definately 3 test minimum. 5 test tours should be more common with England, South Africa and Australia. Cricket Australia seem strongly against the 5 test idea these days tho. Idiots.
 

SJS

Hall of Fame Member
Craig said:
I was having this discussion with Richard on MSN last Sunday where we both agreeded that the 7 ODIs England play against South Africa is pointless and boardering on overkill, and could become meaningless and pointless if a side is 4-0 up and not really worth watching (unless the games are any good).

Unless we have an a crowded program, I would prefer if the ideal length of a Test series of 3 Tests and 5 ODIs with one or two first class matcheslasting about 6 weeks.

Personally I would only like to see five Test series between England, South Africa, and England. I don't see why the West Indies deserve to play four or five Test series against these three countries when they hardly look beating them until the series is over and the only result is pride for the WI. Hey if it is good enough for other countries to play three Test series against Australia, England, and South Africa, then it is good for the West Indies. Maybe have a longer series when they actually show they justify it.

If playing against Zimbabwe or Bangladesh, two Tests and about 4 ODIs should be enough. Against anybody else, playing two Tests (again if programs don't conflict) is unacceptable IMO.
3 or 5 for test matches and same for one dayers.

When touring the major test playing countries, there must be games against the top four domestic teams (first class games) of which at least two before the first test match. Their must be one game against the A team.

Before the one day series, their must be a game 1-2 games against the A team.

It is becoming very difficult for those on the fringes to showcase their talents on a stage where they can be properly appreciated against the best.

If it means fewer tours, so be it.
 

Beleg

International Regular
My prefered length of test matches is three and ODI's 5.

But I think that some test series should be five tests long, for example a contest between India and Pakistan [In India], Aus vs England etc. And I also believe there should be ample side games. Commercialism is good, but as SJS noted side matches provide a good estimate of a young and up-coming players game and chances against good/top class oposition. Just because fewer people'd go to these matches shouldn't mean they be disbanded entirely.

For example a single paltry first-class in the upcoming series between Pak and India is very disappointing.

12-14 tests and 15-20 ODI's against 3/4 teams make about three months of cricket, add in around 90 days of first-class cricket and 25-35 days of other sorts and you have an ideal sporting schedule. [IMO]
 

Craig

World Traveller
Josh said:
Indeed 2 tests against the "proper" test nations is absurd! What does it achieve?? Nothing. If the series is 1-1... what the hell?
Only if programs could clash with other tours that team is to take part in.
 

biased indian

International Coach
two warm up matches before test and 2 50 over games before ODI
3 test and 5 ODI's

if all three are good teams i prefer a 10 match tri-series
 

Craig

World Traveller
Beleg said:
My prefered length of test matches is three and ODI's 5.

But I think that some test series should be five tests long, for example a contest between India and Pakistan [In India], Aus vs England etc. And I also believe there should be ample side games. Commercialism is good, but as SJS noted side matches provide a good estimate of a young and up-coming players game and chances against good/top class oposition. Just because fewer people'd go to these matches shouldn't mean they be disbanded entirely.

For example a single paltry first-class in the upcoming series between Pak and India is very disappointing.

12-14 tests and 15-20 ODI's against 3/4 teams make about three months of cricket, add in around 90 days of first-class cricket and 25-35 days of other sorts and you have an ideal sporting schedule. [IMO]
I would allow that up to 30 ODIs, otherwise I would agree with you.
 

biased indian

International Coach
Josh said:
Indeed 2 tests against the "proper" test nations is absurd! What does it achieve?? Nothing. If the series is 1-1... what the hell??

Definately 3 test minimum. 5 test tours should be more common with England, South Africa and Australia. Cricket Australia seem strongly against the 5 test idea these days tho. Idiots.
i remember reading some where that cricket australia has decided that in future Aus will be playing test series with more than 3 test aganist india and england only
 

cric_manic

First Class Debutant
yeh a 5 test match series would be good for nz we havent had one since 1975 we have mainly played 2 match series wich are a wast of time
 

LongHopCassidy

International Captain
biased indian said:
i remember reading some where that cricket australia has decided that in future Aus will be playing test series with more than 3 test aganist india and england only
My conspiracy theory is the Australian hierachy is eliminating our final weakness - dead rubbers.

Don't shoot me for being unpatriotic.
 

tooextracool

International Coach
personally i think 3 tests is too short, 4 tests or 5 tests would be just right because it takes touring teams to get used to the conditions. with regard to ODIs i think a 1 on 1 series should be a 5 game series whereas a tri series should have at least 6 games a team. the series in australia should have 4 though.
 

LongHopCassidy

International Captain
I think the number of Tests should be relative to the quality of sides playing or equality of the sides - a good contest will reel in crowds, so a large number of Tests would do wonders for the financial stability and popularity for cricket in that country.
 

Josh

International Regular
LongHopCassidy said:
I think the number of Tests should be relative to the quality of sides playing or equality of the sides - a good contest will reel in crowds, so a large number of Tests would do wonders for the financial stability and popularity for cricket in that country.
Indeed
 

marc71178

Eyes not spreadsheets
cric_manic said:
yeh a 5 test match series would be good for nz we havent had one since 1975 we have mainly played 2 match series wich are a wast of time
I thought 2 match series only started a couple of years ago?
 

Beleg

International Regular
A couple of years? I think that's too recent. Pakistan played a two match series in India in 1999, played a one off in NZ in mid 90's, and anothet twain in 1996/97. If we want to nail it at a certain period I'd say that The trend starting developing after the 99 world-cup.
 

Beleg

International Regular
Yup, you are right there. There may have been an isolated incident of a two match series for one reason or the other. [death of Indira Gandhi or test matches being washed out due to rain/fog]

A few two match series I wish could have been longer.

Pak vs Ind - 99 1-1
Pak vs Eng - 02 1-1
Pak vs SA - 03 1-1
 

Black Thunder

School Boy/Girl Captain
3 or 4 test series are generally the most popular, couple with a few ODI's or a ODI tournament.

5 test series are a little too long but are good when the top nations come up against each other. I think the ICC should only allow five test series to occur when the top 3 nations in the world come up against each other, and in the Ashes (if Australia and England aren't in the top 3 - irrelevant point this year though as both are).
 

The Argonaut

State Vice-Captain
I think that Zimbabwe and Bangladesh need to be dropped from the test calendar. This would free up more time and allow 3 test series to be played. teams seem to be rushing here there and everywhere. every nook and cranny of the schedule is taken up. Touring sides need more time to get used to the conditions.

You have to feel sorry for the Pakistanis at the moment. They arrive in Australia and play one FC game before the test. The 1st test is on the bounciest pitch in the country and they get flogged. pakistan is a confidence team and they never recovered. The last 2 tests were played back to back and injuries robbed them of fielding their strongest side in these matches.

At least 2 if not 3 matches need to be played in the lead up to the tests. The state sides would love to have a crack against the touring sides. Slip in an A game and there you go. A couple of lead up games for the OD games would be enough.

I agree that 3 should be the minimum number of tests per series. 4 or 5 could be used for series that will attract more spectators. I'm surprised that Aust doesn't play 5 test series against South Africa. I'd love to see that.
 

Richard

Cricket Web Staff Member
Beleg said:
A few two match series I wish could have been longer.

Pak vs Ind - 99 1-1
I thought you guys always argued that this one was a 3-Test series and Pakistan won 2-1! :)
 

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