Probably for the first time........

2 test playing nations would be playing a series of 3 T20s.

This is itinerary for Pak's tour to NZ which actually is Pak's home series.

I suppose its Pak's prerogative then to decide on the schedule. Either way, its poor and hints at a dangerous trend.

Here is the complete schedule.

December 26 - 1st T20, Auckland
December 28 - 2nd T20, Hamilton
December 30 - 3rd T20, Christchurch
January 7-11 - 1st Test, Hamilton
January 15-19 - 2nd Test, Wellington (Basin)
January 22 - 1st ODI, Wellington (Westpac)
January 26 - 2nd ODI, Queenstown
January 29 - 3rd ODI, Christchurch
February 1 - 4th ODI, Napier
February 3 - 5th ODI, Hamilton
February 5 - 6th ODI, Auckland

Just 2 tests in a tour spanning 40+ days! Ridiculous. No wonder these 2 suck in test cricket.

Just to repeat, terrible terrible schedule. Whoever has done this, needs to sent to mental asylum.

Sometimes you've gotta wonder what administrators on cricket boards do. The best interests of the players and the team do not seem to be a consideration.

Two Test series need to be banned!

it was a 3 test series with 3 odis and a couple of t20is

they decided to change it to 2 tests with 6 odis and 3 t20is. supposedly keeping the world cup in mind

Ugh. Seems to be the way of the world these days. Catering to daft Y-Geners.

the scheduling could be a bit better. t20s followed by tests followed by odis? we will probably see scores of 200 a/o in 35 overs in the tests. the tests should have been either right at the start or right at the end

6 ODIs? Why?

Surely a more sensible schedule would be 3T20s, 3 tests, and 3 ODIs. No one even watches ODI cricket anymore.

like i said, its just before the world cup. thats the reasoning of the 2 boards - they need odi practice

But playing ODIs in NZ would hardly be an ideal practice for WC that would be played on subcon pitches.

Surely a more sensible schedule would be 3T20s, 3 tests, and 3 ODIs.

Not sure, sense and scheduling 3 T20s on a single tour don't go hand in hand.

No one even watches ODI cricket anymore.

Simply not true.

logically its better practice than playing tests in nz

dont know why they need the 3 t20s though. they could do

December 26-30 - 1st Test
January 3-7 - 2nd Test
January 11-15 - 3rd Test
January 20 - 1st T20
January 21 - 2nd T20
January 26 - 1st ODI
January 29 - 2nd ODI
February 1 - 3rd ODI
February 3 - 4th ODI
February 5 - 5th ODI

SG wrote:

No one even watches ODI cricket anymore outside of India

Simply not true.

Closer to the truth?

I won't even say that. Almost all venues in Eng, SA, Aus and Ind see packed houses for ODIs. And thats despite T20s being so popular in these countries for more than 3 years now.

The One wrote:logically its better practice than playing tests in nz

dont know why they need the 3 t20s though. they could do

December 26-30 - 1st Test
January 3-7 - 2nd Test
January 11-15 - 3rd Test
January 20 - 1st T20
January 21 - 2nd T20
January 26 - 1st ODI
January 29 - 2nd ODI
February 1 - 3rd ODI
February 3 - 4th ODI
February 5 - 5th ODI

I'd say 1 T20 is more than enough. But then I don't even consider T20 as a form of cricket.

You're a wise cricket-follower, SG.

t20s are a big money spinner for most cricket boards so i doubt you can get them to cut it down to 1. i think the schedule i posted is quite workable. there are enough rest days and since nz is a small country travel is easily manageable. you get your 3 test series, your 2 t20s and your 5 odis. i dont see the point of the extra odi and the extra t20

I know BCCI is favorite punching bag for everyone here.

But why doesn't every other board schedule more tests and lesser ODIs and T20s? As far as stats are concerned, here are the countries who've hosted the max no. of T20s (non WC games only).

NZ: 13,
SA: 12,
Aus: 10,
Eng: 9,
WI: 6,
UAE: 5,
SL: 4,
Ind: 3,
Pak: 1

Pak of course, doesn't count as any int'l cricket won't be played in Pak for next 2-3 years at least.

And here are the no. of ODIs being hosted by each test playing nation during last decade.

SA: 180,
Aus: 148,
WI: 142,
Ind: 125,
SL: 124,
Eng: 120,
Zim: 103,
B'desh: 84
Pak: 77.

Forgot NZ. They hosted 88 ODIs during last decade.

Two Test series. FFS! It'll be a 1-1 draw no doubt and everyone will be expecting a decider!

DJ_Smerk wrote:Two Test series. FFS! It'll be a 1-1 draw no doubt and everyone will be expecting a decider!

A tit of a series?