Player union warns of overload

The Australian Cricketers' Association fears the international schedule could become so crowded players will have to be rested from Tests because off too much cricket. Paul Marsh, the ACA chief executive, has repeatedly spoken about the dangers of burnout from the explosion of matches and after the new six-year itinerary was unveiled by the ICC this week he told The Courier-Mail it was based on revenue raising through television rights and sponsorship.

"There are already some events programmed that aren't on this program so there is certainly going to be a whole lot more cricket," Marsh told the paper. "The Cricket Australia brand is built on the baggy green. We hope we don't get to the time where we have to rest players from Tests because too much cricket is played. Certainly, there are no players who want that."

Australia's internationals have a light load this winter after a gruelling schedule that began with the Ashes series, but their travelling will increase from next year with tours planned to India in 2007, 2008 and 2009. A trip to Zimbabwe, who are not currently on the Test circuit, is also scheduled for next July and is due to follow the World Cup in the West Indies.