Australia's Festive Season Tests under threat

[chaminda_00]

I know AFL's the only sport that uses cricket grounds but that's not the only thing of relevancve - there's no point playing Tests when no-one's interested because they're all watching AFL\football\rugby.

There isn't a great deal of interest in Cricket in Sri Lanka during May-September when majority of our Test Matches are played. There was hardly anyone at the Bangladesh/Sri Lanka A tour match. A game that during the proper cricket season would have got packed crowds. There is hardly any interest from the TV viewers either, which why we struggled to Sri Lankan TV networks to take cricket matches during this period.

Sports like Hockey and Football are only minor sports in Sri Lanka, but seem to do enough to take away people interest away from Cricket during this period. A lot of these Test Matches that get played in Sri Lanka during the off season get forgotten by the general public cus its not the regular cricket season. Its as much of an issue playing matches outside our regular season as it is with any other country.

 

[pup11]

I am not really too happy to hear about this new development because the boxing day test and new year test (in Australia) have almost become the part of cricket's annual calendar. But then other boards also have a valid point.

 

[Richard]

There isn't a great deal of interest in Cricket in Sri Lanka during May-September when majority of our Test Matches are played. There was hardly anyone at the Bangladesh/Sri Lanka A tour match. A game that during the proper cricket season would have got packed crowds. There is hardly any interest from the TV viewers either, which why we struggled to Sri Lankan TV networks to take cricket matches during this period.

Sports like Hockey and Football are only minor sports in Sri Lanka, but seem to do enough to take away people interest away from Cricket during this period. A lot of these Test Matches that get played in Sri Lanka during the off season get forgotten by the general public cus its not the regular cricket season. Its as much of an issue playing matches outside our regular season as it is with any other country.

I'm not completely surprised to hear that and as I say - I'd certainly much prefer all cricket in Lanka to be played October-March (gets rather too hot in April to be playing safely IMO).

You'd probably be best placed to answer - what would draw more interest: Australia vs Sri Lanka in September-October or Sri Lanka vs Australia in June-July?

 

[Burgey]

What's the best time of year to play in SL and India, climatically and from a crowd-interest point of view (though I suspect that you coluld play in India in the middle of winter and you'd get a crowd to a cricket match)?

When India play, say England, do they put the series on over the Xmas/ New Year period? I don't really know.

I can see where SA are coming from here, and acknowledge that TV rights mean the most, but really, until SA start getting test crowds which can be measured in 1000s instead of in scores, Melbourne will have its Boxing Day test.

Of course, I'm really just being a NIMBY.

 

[Richard]

Hmm... not what I'd normally thought of as a not-in-my-backyard sorta view, TBH.

India should, I imagine, be able to play any time between October and March provided they're not either touring or hosting Australia?

 

[chaminda_00]

The best time to play cricket in Sri Lanka is February to April. You probably will get the best crowds during March, as you will get the best lead up to series with major part of FC calender just before it.

The other problem with playing matches in June-July is their is an increase chance of rain and pitches can be too seamer friendly with a bit of extra moisture. You get next to no chance of rain during February to March. But a lot of vistoring sides complain its too hot during that period. Really they should just man up IMO. Touring sides prefer June-July as it pretty cool and more seamer friendly pitches and less turn.

August to January ok but you get better crowds in February and March. Also some pitches are still pretty seamer friendly up to December. But thats mainly non International pitches.

 

[chaminda_00]

You'd probably be best placed to answer - what would draw more interest: Australia vs Sri Lanka in September-October or Sri Lanka vs Australia in June-July?

September to October in Australia probably, but the series they had in Australia in August a couple years back didn't gain a lot of attention back home. You would probably get a fair bit of interest cus Australia is playing in June-July but if its 2-Test series it would be forgotten about before it started. 3-Test match series, by the 2nd and 3rd Test you would probably gain more interest.

 

[Josh]

Either make the teams that also have tests on the same days tour BEFORE these dates or AFTER these dates. But Boxing Day & NYD Test need to be kept, tbh. Will create uproar if they aren't. If it costs 5 test series being played, that's their own fault for sooking about something that isn't really worth sooking about. Why should any of the countries have to give up their scheduling??

 

[honestbharani]

What's the best time of year to play in SL and India, climatically and from a crowd-interest point of view (though I suspect that you coluld play in India in the middle of winter and you'd get a crowd to a cricket match)?

When India play, say England, do they put the series on over the Xmas/ New Year period? I don't really know.

I can see where SA are coming from here, and acknowledge that TV rights mean the most, but really, until SA start getting test crowds which can be measured in 1000s instead of in scores, Melbourne will have its Boxing Day test.

Of course, I'm really just being a NIMBY.

You can actually play at any time in India except maybe late April and May, when it gets crazy hot around here.


Actually, I don't have a problem with India hosting their matches in September/October for one team and around March/April for another team. September is monsoon in north India but South India, esp. the east coast should be relatively rain free at that time and March/April season it simply doesn't rain in India, period, unless it is some exceptional rain system which gets formed around then. But ideally, the best time to play cricket in India is around december/Jan and Feb.

But since NZ, RSA and Australia all have traditional stuff lined up at that time, I don't mind India playing around its best season, tbh.


Although, when it comes to tradition, it might be worth remembering that the Pongal test (around Jan 15) in Chennai has been a pretty big tradition too. In fact, Pongal week is referred to as test match week in Chennai by some of the ppl I meet who are 40,50 ish.

 

[Craig]

The best time to play cricket in Sri Lanka is February to April. You probably will get the best crowds during March, as you will get the best lead up to series with major part of FC calender just before it.

The other problem with playing matches in June-July is their is an increase chance of rain and pitches can be too seamer friendly with a bit of extra moisture. You get next to no chance of rain during February to March. But a lot of vistoring sides complain its too hot during that period. Really they should just man up IMO. Touring sides prefer June-July as it pretty cool and more seamer friendly pitches and less turn.

August to January ok but you get better crowds in February and March. Also some pitches are still pretty seamer friendly up to December. But thats mainly non International pitches.

Agreed, just sit in a sauna for half an hour a day or something. It can get very hot and humid in Australia (especially in Queensland) so that arguement holds no weight.

Either make the teams that also have tests on the same days tour BEFORE these dates or AFTER these dates. But Boxing Day & NYD Test need to be kept, tbh. Will create uproar if they aren't. If it costs 5 test series being played, that's their own fault for sooking about something that isn't really worth sooking about. Why should any of the countries have to give up their scheduling??

That's pretty selfish IMO.

 

[Perm]

Speaking as an Englishman, I've always thought Australia's ability to manage an exact split of the cricket\football seasons has been hugely admirable. Compared to over here, it's sheer magnificence.

This Kiwi feels exactly the same way.

 

[GIMH]

The joys of the English summer eh?

I want Australia to lose the Boxing Day Test. Just wanna see whose hands get thrown by Gelman tbh

 

[Craig]

The joys of the English summer eh?

I want Australia to lose the Boxing Day Test. Just wanna see whose hands get thrown by Gelman tbh

What for pure comical pleasures?

 

[Richard]

I want Australia to lose the Boxing Day Test. Just wanna see whose hands get thrown by Gelman tbh

Can only be Fuller's, can't it? After repeated de-thumbing of one by the other, it's only right that the other should take the other's hands and throw them?

 

[Richard]

Agreed, just sit in a sauna for half an hour a day or something. It can get very hot and humid in Australia (especially in Queensland) so that arguement holds no weight.

The dangers of playing sport in heat and humidity should not be underestimated. It does indeed get too hot in both Australia and Sri Lanka of times. Very, very poor of anyone to organise play at times when it is so.

 

[Burgey]

September to October in Australia probably, but the series they had in Australia in August a couple years back didn't gain a lot of attention back home. You would probably get a fair bit of interest cus Australia is playing in June-July but if its 2-Test series it would be forgotten about before it started. 3-Test match series, by the 2nd and 3rd Test you would probably gain more interest.

It's been very dry in Australia ove the past 4-5 years, but the problem with Sept-Oct traditionally would be Spring rains.
Grounds probably not such a problem for internationals, but any domestic lead up games may be compromised by the footy finals. MCG is AFL territory, SCG too if Swans get a home final (now looking increasingly unlikely ), likewise the Gabba but Adelaide and Perth would be ok from an availability point of view. AFL finishes last weekend in September, NRL 1st weekend in October. Dunno enough about ground keeping to know if MCG could be test match ready say 2 weeks post-AFL grand final.

 

[NZTailender]

Haha, wow. Why's that?

Mum was born there. Was brought up to follow NZ. And tbh it's more fun following the mediocre underdog than the team that always wins

 

[chaminda_00]

It's been very dry in Australia ove the past 4-5 years, but the problem with Sept-Oct traditionally would be Spring rains.
Grounds probably not such a problem for internationals, but any domestic lead up games may be compromised by the footy finals. MCG is AFL territory, SCG too if Swans get a home final (now looking increasingly unlikely ), likewise the Gabba but Adelaide and Perth would be ok from an availability point of view. AFL finishes last weekend in September, NRL 1st weekend in October. Dunno enough about ground keeping to know if MCG could be test match ready say 2 weeks post-AFL grand final.

I was presuming the Test Matches would be played in Carins and Darwin, where they would most likely take AFL off the grounds one month before hand like they did for the Bangladesh and Sri Lankan series. Also with a likely 2-Test match series you could just have games at WACA and Adelaide Oval anyway. Maybe Bellerive Oval if they went for something different and three match series.

 

[Mister Wright]

Mum was born there. Was brought up to follow NZ. And tbh it's more fun following the mediocre underdog than the team that always wins

It's sad, but I agree.

 

[chaminda_00]

It's sad, but I agree.

And you support the Broncos too...