Cricket comes first

Scyld Berry and Christopher Martin-Jenkins have expressed their discontent at the proposed English tour schedule announced by the all too fallible BCCI.  While their concerns are valid, my biggest disappointment is that once again there will only be three tests (not to mention another 7-ODI series).  In his brilliant piece, The unique drama of Test Cricket (a must-read), Mike Marqusee posits why three-test series are not ideal.  In this case, however, the blame lies not with the Indian board, but its English counterpart: the last paragraph in Martin-Jenkins’ piece reveals that the ECB had turned down BCCI’s request for five tests this time around.  Sure, that was before the English resurrection, but surely somebody must see the reason of having one or two additional tests between these two top sides now.  The next time these two outfits go head-to-head in the subcontinent, their constituency could have altered vastly.  This time around, two ODIs could easily make way for an extra test without adding any more days to the tour.  With two more tests, the Englishmen’s request to see some well-frequented tourism spots in the list of test venues could also be accommodated.  Hopefully, somebody will insist on putting all issues aside in order to give the fans what they crave the most: some riveting Test cricket.