England to Bring Back Five-Test Series Beyond Ashes and India

London, Feb 24 (NationPress) England is set to reinstate a five-match Test series against teams other than Australia and India, with Pakistan and South Africa positioned as the leading candidates for these extended contests. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) views this initiative as vital for rekindling global enthusiasm for Test cricket, with the aim of restoring the format's capacity to create enduring, engaging narratives over multiple matches.

According to a report from The Telegraph, the inaugural series of this nature could occur in the summer of 2028, a year that falls between England's Ashes confrontation with Australia and their prominent home series against India.

For many years, five-Test series were a hallmark of England's summers, not solely against Australia but also against other teams like South Africa, Pakistan, and the West Indies.

However, the recent trend has leaned towards shorter two- or three-match series, especially for teams outside the 'big three' of Australia, England, and India. No team outside this trio has engaged in a series exceeding three matches since England’s 3-1 victory in South Africa during the 2019/20 season.

South Africa, once England’s most intriguing Test adversary outside the Ashes, last participated in a five-match series in 2004-05. Their recent form—winning seven consecutive Tests to reach the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia—adds more weight to their case for a longer series.

Pakistan, in contrast, has a longstanding rivalry with England, exemplified by thrilling encounters in both home and away settings. The last time they contested a four-Test series in England was in 2016, which ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

The ECB's proposed adjustment does not necessarily imply an increase in Tests played each summer. Instead, the anticipated six-Test home summer of 2028 is likely to feature a major series of four or five matches, accompanied by a smaller one or two-match series. This reorganization aims to enhance the prestige of Test cricket while ensuring commercial viability.

England’s decision is also a reaction to the rising concerns regarding the state of Test cricket outside the 'big three.' The recent incident of South Africa sending a weakened team to New Zealand for a two-Test series, prioritizing their domestic T20 league, highlighted the challenges the format faces. By offering extended, high-profile series, England hopes to encourage other nations to prioritize Test cricket.

Furthermore, the ECB acknowledges that summers without an Ashes or India series have often struggled to attract the same level of public interest. By scheduling longer series against South Africa or Pakistan, England aims to maintain engagement even in non-Ashes years.