Last Updated on 19 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Mike Atherton has slammed the idea of an Ashes Test being held in India.
Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said they would be open to an Ashes Test overseas. “It’s not something that we are planning, but it’s open for consideration… we’d have to be open to considering all options,” he told the BBC.
In his column for The Times, the former England captain wrote that the history and tradition of the Ashes is something that should never be tinkered with. Also, Atherton lamented the over-commercialisation in cricket, referencing the Big Bash League’s season opener in Chennai.
Mike Atherton says no to an Ashes Test in India, slams BBL match in India
Atherton holds strong views that Ashes matches must remain in Australia or England. The series is so well received in both nations with so much pride at stake.
“Other than a celebratory one-off match, such as in Melbourne next March (150th Anniversary Test) or possibly a World Test Championship – if England ever get their act together in that competition – England versus Australia is for the Ashes,” he wrote.
“It is to be played over five Tests every two years, and every four years on each other’s soil.
“Everybody else is welcome to watch but it is a rivalry that needs no further commercialising.
“The (Ashes) rivalry doesn’t need diluting with spurious one-off matches in India, there are so many parts of the game that need attention, but this is not one of them. Leave well alone.”
Atherton also wrote that competitions should be organised with the domestic audience top of mind. Investment from India drives significant funding, but local engagement is important.
“Cricket has a reputation of being conservative,” Atherton wrote.
“But it’s equally important not to be a neophile: not every change has merit. Playing a domestic competition at home should be sacrosanct.
“The local audience was not at the forefront of anyone’s mind when Cricket Australia announced recently that the opening game of the next Big Bash League will be played in Chennai.”
