England look to Australia to help to cut financial shortfall

The England & Wales Cricket Board is trying to persuade Australia to play three ODIs in England next summer as it attempts to recoup the financial losses stemming from the decision to boycott Zimbabwe during the World Cup.

The ECB is facing a shortfall of around £2.5million as a result of the stay-away, and three matches against the Aussies could generate up to £1million. The aim would be to play them ahead of the ICC Champions' Trophy, which is being held in England in September 2004, and the hope is that Australia will see them as a good way of warming up for that tournament, which will involve all the Test-playing nations.

While the accountants will be delighted with the plan, England's cricketers might be less enthusiastic. They are already due to play seven Tests and a ten-match triangular series against New Zealand and West Indies, as well as the ICC Champions' Trophy. Another three games crammed in to the schedule will place further strain on them at a time when the burdens of nonstop cricket are a major concern among players.

The other question is whether the public will continue to flock to matches, or whether the sheer quantity of games will lead to a decline in interest. The appetite for cricket isn't infinite, and the ECB has a delicate balancing act to perform.