Should the Ashes be downgraded to a 3 match series?

[NZTailender]

If the Ashes were 3 Test series England would have had 4 white washes in the last 5 away series.

Would say the same about 2005 and probably 2009 too but not to the same extent. 2005 was a culmination of freakish circumstances and Aus should have won 49 times out of 50. 2009 the teams were definitely closer.

One thing the last few Ashes in England has shown us though, is that England will overperform and Aus will underperform relative to their teams on paper.

IIRC Australia haven't won an away test series since they toured NZ in like 2015/16 (?)

Australia just aren't good tourists anymore

 

[Victor Ian]

What an absolute joke NZ only get two tests in India. They are the reigning champs. If there is ever a moment when they deserve 3, 4 or even 5 tests, it is right now. I hope NZ win the first and a monsoon wipes out the second.

 

[honestbharani]

Is it rubbish that we get two Tests in India, with no proper warm-up?

This was due to us getting only 2 tests in NZ, I am pretty sure. You guys got 3 last time you were here.. You would have gotten 3 if you had given us 3, I assume.

 

[honestbharani]

What an absolute joke NZ only get two tests in India. They are the reigning champs. If there is ever a moment when they deserve 3, 4 or even 5 tests, it is right now. I hope NZ win the first and a monsoon wipes out the second.

..

This was due to us getting only 2 tests in NZ, I am pretty sure. You guys got 3 last time you were here.. You would have gotten 3 if you had given us 3, I assume.

 

[Victor Ian]

This was due to us getting only 2 tests in NZ, I am pretty sure. You guys got 3 last time you were here.. You would have gotten 3 if you had given us 3, I assume.

Do you know this? Is it the stated reason - or just your reasoning. If NZ only gave india 2 tests and India wanted more, that is pretty dumb of NZ, because India are always a big drawcard. I'd imagine India imposed the previous 2 test visit in NZ, if there was a culprit behind it.
It's also a pretty **** philosophy to play tit for tat. NZ are good now - they need to be tested now.

 

[_00_deathscar]

What an absolute joke NZ only get two tests in India. They are the reigning champs. If there is ever a moment when they deserve 3, 4 or even 5 tests, it is right now. I hope NZ win the first and a monsoon wipes out the second.

I’m confused. Are you stuck in mid 2021?

 

[Line and Length]

The Ashes should be the best of 5 Tests but, once a team has a 3-0 or 3-1 advantage, the remaining Tests shouldn't go ahead as full Tests but instead be exhibition matches featuring borderline players.

 

[TheJediBrah]

The Ashes should be the best of 5 Tests but, once a team has a 3-0 or 3-1 advantage, the remaining Tests shouldn't go ahead as full Tests but instead be exhibition matches featuring borderline players.

I can't see how that would be a good idea. People pay for tickets to see the best players.

 

[Burgey]

Or England

 

[Victor Ian]

I’m confused. Are you stuck in mid 2021?

lol. I forgot this is done and dusted. I guess I am stuck in mid 2021. In this covid era does time even progress?

 

[Flem274*]

England and Aus boards, despite behind the scenes dubiousness, are pretty good about hosting less rich boards for 3 tests. Certainly performance based hosting would only see SA and India get more than 2 tests in Aus.

Smaller boards get real spew schedules among themselves. Upcoming NZ vs SA should be 4 tests, but crickets financial model is one obstacle to it.

 

[honestbharani]

Do you know this? Is it the stated reason - or just your reasoning. If NZ only gave india 2 tests and India wanted more, that is pretty dumb of NZ, because India are always a big drawcard. I'd imagine India imposed the previous 2 test visit in NZ, if there was a culprit behind it.
It's also a pretty **** philosophy to play tit for tat. NZ are good now - they need to be tested now.

Nah, it is how bilateral agreements work. BCCI asked for a 3rd test in 2010 or whenever we won there and so the next series were 3 test series between the sides. Then NZC said only 2 tests in 2018 or whenever we toured and so now they got only 2.

 

[Adders]

Nah, it is how bilateral agreements work. BCCI asked for a 3rd test in 2010 or whenever we won there and so the next series were 3 test series between the sides. Then NZC said only 2 tests in 2018 or whenever we toured and so now they got only 2.

I honestly have no idea how this works and you may well be right but tbh I'm not buying it.

On the face of it if the BCCI wanted 3 tests then 3 tests is what they would have got. NZ doesn't have the muscle to challenge them over something like that and as VI said.......why would they, it makes no sense.

 

[AnthonyC]

Boards want to make money, they book tours that generate money via people attending or TV rights.
Australians turn up to watch England, even if England are being continuously beaten badly.

 

[GIMH]

I’d personally return to the 6 match series of my youth

 

[TheJediBrah]

IIRC Australia haven't won an away test series since they toured NZ in like 2015/16 (?)

Australia just aren't good tourists anymore

We need another easy tour of NZ to get our confidence back up

 

[NZTailender]

We need another easy tour of NZ to get our confidence back up

you won't be able to ball tamper this time tho

 

[TheJediBrah]

you won't be able to ball tamper this time tho

Might have to bring out the underarms

 

[Coronis]

Nah we should just make all series 5 match series.

 

[sledger]

Should be upgraded to being a limited overs series tbh