Adam Collins discusses the advantages of reverting to Australia’s traditional Test dates in its two big sporting cities
Another Melbourne Ashes battle, another dead rubber. The only Test match in the four-year cycle anywhere in the world that can entice up to 95,000 or more rugged individuals through the gates, yet it is routinely played in a series that has already been resolved. Same old, same old.
Sure, the state of the current clash won’t materially diminish the attendance. This is Melbourne. They (we) show up every time as a point of pride. After all, there is a tag to uphold as the sporting capital of the world, underpinned by the biggest attendances in all the land.
Even so, we are missing a trick. No, not by moving it away from Boxing Day – let’s not say things we can’t take back. Rather, the key is adjusting the summer’s calendar in a more wholesale way to make sure that when the carnival comes to Melbourne and Sydney that the Ashes (and other series) are, by design, still alive.
The Sydney Test might not draw the same numbers as Melbourne – a smaller ground in a city with less of an appetite for live sport more generally. But it is an icon all the same, in Australia’s most populated city.
Indeed, its status as the New Year’s Test is as locked into the calendar as Melbourne the day after Christmas. What both have in common is that they don’t get the Ashes-defining moments anymore.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 22,2017-Ausgabe von The Cricket Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 22,2017-Ausgabe von The Cricket Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.