Did anyone feel a bit short-changed when the Test match in Colombo finished the other day? England may have won after enduring a winter nearly as arduous as the German Sixth Army in frozen Stalingrad during World War II, but we couldn't feeling it was all a bit of an anti-climax.
The reason? Well, it's simple really. We cannot abide two Test 'series' - even calling it a series seems absolutely ridiculous.
Indeed, it was the third successive two Test series this winter (we're on English time here) to have end one Test all.
All very unsatisfactory, we hope you'll agree and a good excuse for our latest piece for All Out Cricket, which we've also managed to get in a famous quote from Johnny Rotten during his time with The Sex Pistols. We're still congratulating ourselves about that one. Well, someone has to.
Have a read of End Two-Test Series Farce and let us know if you agree with us.
Where next?
2nd Test: Sri Lanka vs England - Sri Lanka marks out of 10
2nd Test: Sri Lanka vs England - England marks out of 10
County Championship XI of the week #1
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Who is to end this farce?
The ICC will not. They are the ones who are encouraging it. The country boards are more than willing to party with the ICC on this...
The real people who will force this change are the players who have balls and are willing to take a stand.
Men like Sachin, Ponting, Kallis, Dravid, etc. Sadly Sachin is reduced to a salesman, Dravid thinks of players as "entertainers" and Ponting and others have no appetitte for this.
Customer's (Viewers) can't change a thing because the ICC has divided its customer base and they aren't united.
I don't see how this farce will end. I guess we all deserve unless we can all start a protest movement that hits players and the ICC where it hurts the most....
Posted by: Golandaaz | Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 21:00
Two test series must go. 3 tests must be the minimum. The ICC must stipulate that test series must be of at least 3 tests. I won't hold my breath waiting for this!!
Posted by: Ross Slater | Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 23:58
No, sadly you are right Ross. There's nothing like a five Test series to whet the appetite. That's the number of Tests South Africa should be playing in Englnd this summer. Sadly it will only be three.
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Friday, April 13, 2012 at 20:34
I know the South African and Australian players registered their disgruntlement that their series in SA last year was just two Tests long, but as you say they were not vocal enough. In the latest Wisden Lawrence Booth says that two test series should be restricted to those involving Bangladesh and/or Zimbabwe and I'd have to say i agree with that.
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Friday, April 13, 2012 at 20:37