Prestigious series? cricket's final frontier? and only 1/4 stadium full on first three days. Either it's too hot for people to go and watch, people don't much care about these lofty phrases or test cricket ain't worth a penny any more.

Posted by   on (October 2, 2010, 21:58 GMT)

The timing of this series says everything about what is wrong with the current international cricket calendar. What should be a prestigious series between two of the world's leading cricket powers is slipped into the calendar as a brief two match series, played in an empty stadium, and viewed as no more than a warm-up to the forthcoming Ashes series. Matches between teams in the top five Test rankings table should be for a minimum of four matches and with at least a three month interval between them and matches against other teams in the top five. Contrast the low key atmosphere of this series to the Ryder Cup Golf Tournament, held only once every two years and regarded as a truely special sporting event, as should Test Match Series between India and Australia.

How can anyone say this series is a build up to the Ashes? The reality is the team to beat is India or SA at the moment.

England V Aus is an average series.