[gonzo]

Just started raining in Cardiff, be interesting to see the difference it makes to the pitch tomorrow as it was looking dust bowl dry this afternoon.

[bazzap]

The Ashes puzzle explained


Ever wondered why we are having 3 Ashes series within 2 years? I did and asked everybody I talked to about cricket but nobody knew the answer.

Now I do and here it is.



Historically Ashes series are held 4 years apart in each country

In England in the last 20 years, this was 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009 & 2013

These were followed in Australia about 14 months later with the First Test starting in November usually in Brisbane. 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006 & 2010.

All was going well until when the 2014 series was due in Australia. Australia was awarded the World Cup for early 2015. That made it near impossible to schedule in a 5 match Test series before the World Cup so the powers that be brought it forward one year to November 2013.

November 2013 became the new benchmark and future tours to Australia will be held in 2017,2021 etc etc

With the benchmark now set, the Ashes series in England should have been started about 16 months beforehand. The problem is that means the next English Ashes series would have been held starting July 2016 clashing with European Football Championships, Olympics etc. As the cricket authorities did not want that clash, they brought the Ashes series in England forward a year.

Thus we are playing cricket right now and 2015 is the new benchmark for English Ashes series. Future England series will be held in 2019, 2023 etc etc




Clear as mud I know but I think I understand it.

[WankingWodger]

More like there are very few test matches that make money now so they've added more in and if they're not careful they will kill it off , used to be great waiting for 4 years for revenge as there was the W.Indies , India, Pakistan etc and some good cricket but now it seems 1 day rules the roost