Why England Test schedule changes now?

The England Test schedule shake-up will have a major impact on the way the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) runs long-format cricket going forward at the World Test Championship (WTC). The move is a major step away from the usual balanced home-and-away Test series, as England have decided to go overseas for shorter tours but have extended home tours.

The major talking point going around is the five-match Test series at home, which may feature a marathon match against the Pakistan national cricket team. There has been some initial discussion with the ECB and both Pakistan and South Africa are regarded as strong candidates for tours to England later. This move is ahead of the new World Test Championship cycle, that starts with the next Ashes summer of England cricket team. Given the ECB’s long-term strategy, it would appear that they are looking to maximise commercial value and fan engagement by playing more home series and especially marquee series.

The board is also getting ready for an alternative scenario in international cricket. Visits to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in particular will likely be limited to Test matches. These will be complemented by so-called white-ball games, which offer higher rewards for host countries and more scheduling flexibility. This combination is typical of the economic approach of cricket today. Home boards are trying to bolster the flagship series, and, with the need for time and commercial considerations, the away tours are being streamlined.

The ECB’s approach also reflects a desire to blend tradition with sustainability amidst a crowded international schedule. Coaches and commentators think this may change the face of Test cricket, particularly if five-match series become more frequent in the future, away from the Ashes. But fears persist that smaller series overseas could decrease competition and exposure to different environments.

The post Why England Test schedule changes now? appeared first on Ten Sports TV.