Would we even fit 6 in, though, if we started in late June, and also, not a fan of one 3-Test series, never mind two, and when the Aussies and Saffies are here it would mean playing a one-off Test against another side.
Aus and SA should never tour the same season. As I've said before, I don't mind a three-Test series against anyone other than those two - could just play six-Testers against each (I've long been in favour of this with Aus anyway) and split three-threes with all other teams. EG:
2013: Australia (six)
2014: South Africa (six)
2015: New Zealand and India (three each)
2016: Sri Lanka and Pakistan (three each)
2017: West Indies (six)
Maybe alternate the third six-er as applicable - play it against whoever most deserved at the time, or bung a couple against Bangladesh in if someone insisted.
Play something like (would obviously be altered to fit Thursdays):
June 6th-10th
June 20th-24th
July 7th-11th
5 or 6 ODIs (depending on how many teams involved - could go 3 and 3 if 2 teams touring and 5 if 1 was) between, say, July 16th and 30th.
August 4th-8th
August 18th-22nd
August 25th-29th
Absolutely ideal. Just about enough ODIs (3 per summer wasn't enough) and no overkill on Tests. Plus ideal sharing out between teams.
As well as being in violation of the contract with Sky.
Oh yeah, of course - the broadcasting contract would have to be altered if the reduction were to happen. It would be a 2013-at-earliest job.
BTW, the SL series has been postponed, not seen this anywhere on CC?
Eh? Though it was just likely that IPL players aren't going to be involved. As I've said before, can't blame them in the slightest when SLC would be unlikely to pay them for it.