Do England play too many home Test series?

[TheSultan]

I remember when I started watching cricket in the 80s. Every English summer, I would switch on and watch as many minutes of live cricket as I could (in between school etc). After that I’d watch the highlights in the evening every evening.

Every year was memorable.

India and Pakistan tours of 1982

the shorter New Zealand tour in 1983 after the World Cup.

The famous Black Wash of 1984, I even remember The Sri Lankan one off test at the end of that summer.

Gower’s 85 Ashes.

India and New Zealand in 1986 (not so memorable, as it was overshadowed by Maradona’s 86 World Cup).

87 Legendary Pakistan victory

88 thrashing by West Indies where England changed captains and players all over the place

The disastrous 89 ashes. Gooch LBW Alderman.

The flat wickets 1990 and no-seam balls of the 1990 summer where Gooch made hay.

West Indies 1991 series 2-2 Draw.

1992 Pakistan bowling England out with oranges.

Etc etc

My point is I remember every single one of them. And more importantly generally there was either one major team that toured or two 3 match series (the years that weren’t so memorable). Test matches used to start around the beginning of June and finish at the end of August.

Now the matches start in May and End in September. There are random 2 test series here and there. This year we’re in the first half of July and the England test team is preparing for its 3rd test opponents of the summer.

I tend to find a lot of recent series very forgettable.

Is it too much or is it the quality of cricket that’s the problem?

 

[sweep_shot]

All the Tests England are playing nowadays are parts of WTC.

England are scheduled to play 3 home series and 3 away series.

But, yeah. They tend to play more Tests than most teams.

 

[Robert]

I tend to find a lot of recent series very forgettable.

Is it too much or is it the quality of cricket that’s the problem?

It's just that we are getting older. Apart from Ashes 2005, I can't remember much since the Millennium, not even who was here which year.

Having said that, seven tests is too many and makes the season too long. It should be five tests.

 

[hitthestump]

I do remember test cricket in England feeling more interesting in the 90's. The season seemed to be more purposeful and there was more anticipation as to which overseas team and superstars would be coming.

The natural order of progression is that more tests = more money at the expense of the magic of yesteryear.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

67 (home) vs 59 (away) tests in last 10 years is fair distribution IMO

In fact it's ICC tournaments I feel that they host too often

2013 CT, 2017 CT
2019 WC
2019 WTC, 2023 WTC

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

67 (home) vs 59 (away) tests in last 10 years is fair distribution IMO

In fact it's ICC tournaments I feel that they host too often

2013 CT, 2017 CT
2019 WC
2019 WTC, 2023 WTC

Same argument could be made about india tbh then.

WC 2011, WT20 2016, WT20 2021, WC 2023, CT 2025

 

[silentkiller187]

Test cricket in England is probably one of the only places left were you will get a decent turnout at grounds , if they decide to play more tests then who can blame them for tryingto cash in.

 

[ElRaja]

of all the formats and variants of cricket being played, i don't think too many tests is the real issue. if anything all major teams should endeavour to play 5 or 6 home tests a year.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Same argument could be made about india tbh then.

WC 2011, WT20 2016, WT20 2021, WC 2023, CT 2025

India is the new home of cricket. Most fans most revenue most interest in game and keeping the game alive by having a balance between test and t20 cricket.

 

[wrongun]

Rather see them play this many tests than some useless 5 match T20 series or ODI bilateral instead.

Or expand "the hundred" or other nonsense (surely we'll be down to "the ten" soon).

 

[PakLFC]

Other teams enjoy visiting England not only to play Cricket but site seeing as well. It would be a pleasure to play at Lord's Cricket ground considered to be the headquarters of Cricket that is a stone throw away from the world famous Buckingham Palace. Playing and doing well in England suggests you've reached the promise land of the game. For most players of third world playing Cricket countries who have never traveled abroad England is a dream destination even if they only win one Test cap it will be memorable. The ECB can easily sell England as an attractive tour also because it is a safe destination compared to countries like Pakistan..

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Same argument could be made about india tbh then.

WC 2011, WT20 2016, WT20 2021, WC 2023, CT 2025

CT 2025 is in Pakistan.

Also WT20 2016, 2021 and WC 2023 are the only tournaments where India were/are sole hosts. 2011 was joint with Pak, Bangladesh and SL.

 

[pillionrider]

It's just that we are getting older. Apart from Ashes 2005, I can't remember much since the Millennium, not even who was here which year.

Having said that, seven tests is too many and makes the season too long. It should be five tests.

Basically this.

The games you watched as a kid, teen and even early 20s, you'll never forget. There's also the problem of plenty now. There are so many things you watch in a day including random youtube videos, your brain can only keep up with so much.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Englands test summer if fine 2 x 3 match series a summer is good. If its An Ashes then the other summer series ends up being a 2 match series.

sick of seeing Pakistan playing very little tests in comparison and series being 2 tests.