Test match peak

Number of test matches in the calendar year:

2000 46
2001 55
2002 54
2003 44
2004 51
2005 49
2006 46
2007 31
2008 40 (47 at year's end, assuming the India v England tests are played.)


There's a four year cycle: naturally we expect a low number of tests in a WC year.

But still, 2001-2004 had 204 tests, 2005-2008 will have had 173 tests at year's end.

Most obvious cause of the decline in number is the sad demise of Zimbabwe, who played 11 tests in 2001 (four of which they won).

Other factors are the de facto boycott of touring Pakistan by various sides, and the trend towards 2 test series even between established sides, and towards shorter series generally (Windies v Australia used to be 4 tests, now is 3. India v England used to be 3 tests, now is 2.)

These are probably not very profound or surprising observations but I thought the numbers might interest some.

Well I've got wood...

Invader Zim wrote:Well I've got wood...

...that is soon to be ashes