Tour matches can be squeezed in between the Tests

Sunil Gavaskar

After the thrilling Test matches in the southern hemisphere in the first week of the new year there has been a bit of a lull. Modern day tours have plenty of rest days so as to avoid burnout so we are told. Two back to back Tests means that for nearly a week after that there will be no cricket played by the touring team before the next Test match. This is hard on those in the touring party who are in the reserves and want to show that they should be in the Test eleven as they get no opportunity to show their form.

Even for those out of form, there is no chance of trying to regain it by playing a first class match and so it becomes increasingly difficult for the team that is already down to raise the level of its game without any hard match practice. There is not even a two-day game which can be used by the touring team to get back into the groove somewhat so all that they do is have net practice for the days before the next game starts and that is hardly the ideal preparation for a Test match.