The Ashes

[Alex]

Lose around 30 overs that way. But I guess because they are out there longer the attrition could lead to more mistakes?

I like the 5 day format, it doesnt seem to be a problem, so why **** with it?

[RichC]

Falling attendances is one of the main reasons as well as cost saving for the grounds themselves.

[Alex]

Well if the ECB didnt charge the grounds so much for putting on the test in the first place that would go a long way to helping.

The Yorkshire chairman and chief executive, Colin Graves, had said the county would not bid to host an Ashes Test in 2013 or 2015 because, at a cost of £1m-£2m, "it would represent too great a financial risk". The packages announced on Wednesday will earn the ECB a combined total of around £32m in staging fees. It is estimated that the MCC spent around £12m on the Premium Package.

Thats from a Guardian article on the same subject. Can see in the current model how its pricey to host. Especially if the revenues from the final day are not guaranteed.

[RichC]

Hence why he's suggesting changing things. You have to remember that although Yorkshire didn't bid to host an Ashes test there were plenty of grounds that did.

[Alex]

Thats true. Trouble with them going where the money is, is that they dont go all over the country.

This this summer its The Oval, Lords, Cardiff, Trent Bridge and Edgbaston. The North gets nothing again. So its just a shame it cant be a bit more spread.

[RichC]

Sadly I think that's the "nature of the beast" these days, they've got a cost associated to what they think it's worth and if that's not met by certain grounds i.e. Headingley then they miss out.

Not great I agree but it seems to be the way of things now.

[Shaggy]

I agree with the 100+ overs in a day and making them stay out there til they're all bowled. Always found it totally ludicrous that they have to come off having bowled like 85 overs or something and there's loads of time and light left.

[RichC]

Same. There's no real reason as to why they've not been able to stay out especially with the grounds having lights these days just because that's how it's always been done doesn't make it right.

[Alex]

Yep hate that time restriction bollocks. If as long as there is some sort of sunlight I dont see why it cant be done.

Making them go into night time might be different, but that would never happen anyway.

It seems that they are a relic of a previous time that people hang onto to keep the game with a status quo.

[captainfog]

No chance the ICC will agree to any of that.

[captainfog]

In a warm up game where the opposition is so poor that Joe Root was able to rip through their batting lineup and Alistair Cook retired 100 not out, Balance has managed 9no off 43 balls. Dig in

[Chazza]

All this tour will do is cement players who probably aren't really good enough into the test side and save Moores job.

Couldn't have bounced better for Australia.

[Shaggy]

In a warm up game where the opposition is so poor that Joe Root was able to rip through their batting lineup and Alistair Cook retired 100 not out, Balance has managed 9no off 43 balls. Dig in

He loves a dig-in, him

[Shaggy]

Downton gone!

[RichC]

That's great news.