For about one and a half centuries, the Ashes have been contested between only two nations.
In Lord’s, The Oval, the MCG, or the SCG, but nowhere beyond these two rugby-lawned strongholds, has this famous rivalry ever been played out. But perhaps this might change in future, said Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg, who believes the Ashes Test match should be hosted in India as well.
The Ashes between England and Australia will continue to be played in both countries. Still, now the CA boss believes that the idea of taking the Ashes series to other nations in future is a good idea, saying that it is not beyond consideration given Test cricket’s growing place in the international sports scene.
A Radical Idea for Cricket’s Oldest Rivalry: Ashes
Speaking on the BBC’s Stumped podcast, Greenberg stated that Cricket Australia has no plan to move an Ashes Test overseas in the near future. That being said, he added that such a possibility should be considered, especially with the good cricketing relations between Australia, England and India.
“Our relationship with the ECB but also the BCCI is very strong, and clearly there are opportunities in India to put more content into certain areas.
he said. “It’s not something we’re planning to do, but certainly something we’d be open to.”
Greenberg also noted that Test matches between Australia, England and India continue to be a commercial success.
“I think Test cricket between us, England and India is still very strong, probably bucking the trend in other parts of the world. So we want to make sure we continue to grow it and strengthen it.
Why India Has Entered The Conversation
After all, each men’s Ashes Test since the series began in 1882–83 has been played in either England or Australia. A game in India would be the first-ever “neutral venue Ashes Test”
Greenberg noted.
Also read: Joshua Bishop Earns Maiden West Indies Test Call-Up for Pakistan Series
There’s a commercial reason why the conversation is happening now. India, the sport’s most lucrative market, has seen an explosion of cricket fans in recent years. Earlier this month, it was announced that the BBL is set to come to India for the first time, with the Melbourne Renegades facing the Perth Scorchers at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.
So it’s understandable why administrators would want to capitalize on the sport’s rising popularity in the world’s largest democracy.
Still, Greenberg was the first to admit that scheduling another high-profile men’s Test in an already-busy international calendar would be “incredibly challenging.”
“There’s only 365 days in a schedule, and we probably need another month or two to generate some of the content that we’re trying to,” he said.
With ongoing bilateral series, ICC tournaments, and franchise-based competitions, squeezing into a neutral-venue Ashes Test would be “one of those challenges.”
The Future Of The Ashes
Though an Ashes Test in India is far from a certainty, timing certainly seems to be on Greenberg’s side.
The 2027 men’s and women’s Ashes fixtures were unveiled this Thursday, with both teams due to play each other four times in England at the same time.
It also features the first-ever Mixed Disability Ashes, with the schedule being seen as a festival of the game’s longest-running rivalry. As for an Ashes Test in India – or anywhere outside of the home nations – it may well happen.
In the meantime, Greenberg’s comments are a reminder that in the modern era, no tradition is sacrosanct. As cricket looks to grow and evolve, administrations are much more willing to test the boundaries of what fans have come to expect from the game.
Comments are closed.