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England v Australia overkill can only damage great rivalry - World of Cricket

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Relish the final Test at Edgbaston while you can because it will be a long time before we all get another chance to enjoy the ultimate form of the game in this soggy summer.

Once England have concluded this Test series against West Indies they face a long, unremitting diet of  limited-overs cricket against not just these tourists but also Australia before South Africa arrive next month for the business end of the summer.

Quite why the Aussies, who were also here for a one-day series in 2010, are back again in a non-Ashes year when the main event, a Test series between the top two ranked nations in England and South Africa, is restricted to three matches is beyond me.

Priorities right? James Anderson is being rested for the third Test against West Indies but will soon face playing five one-day internationals against Australia

The official reason is that as England are taking part in a triangular series in Australia in 2015 against the hosts and India to gain valuable 50-over preparation ahead of the next World Cup, the ECB have had to reciprocate with a five-match series this year.

The real reason is that nothing gets the cash tills ringing more than the sight of the old enemy, even though we will be seeing more than enough of Australia during back-to-back Ashes series next year.

    More from Paul Newman...   Paul Newman: Worrying signs as Ashes fever cools north of the Trent 29/05/13   World of cricket: Surrey chief Thompson won't let tragedy hold up his ambitious plan 22/05/13   PAUL NEWMAN: England may have to get used to life without star batsman Pietersen 15/05/13   Paul Newman: Lions ready for next big Test as Kiwis await stars of the future 08/05/13   World of Cricket: Hales looks the part but can he turn it on against spin kings? 22/08/12   Paul Newman: Flawed KP not the only one at fault, but faces long road back 15/08/12   Paul Newman: No 1 priority for Strauss must be his own future 08/08/12   Paul Newman: Smash-hit Styris can't hide need for overhaul of county T20 game 25/07/12   Paul Newman: Let's enjoy Pietersen. We'll miss him when he's gone 18/07/12   VIEW FULL ARCHIVE  

Greed and short-termism rule, as ever, and even though this year’s five games are sure to attract good crowds, the mystique of the oldest rivalry in sport is being eroded. Over-familiarity with Australia will assuredly breed indifference eventually while the principle of leaving the customer wanting more is lost on the ECB.

If Jimmy Anderson is to be rested I would have preferred  him to miss what is in effect a  meaningless one-day series rather than a Test, but England are  determined to treat 50-over cricket as seriously as the  ultimate game, however tired the one-day format is.

Australia’s visit — and mooted strike action by their players can be ruled out — is not the only contentious one-day issue for England. For nestled in between the second and third Tests against South Africa in August is an incongruous visit to  Edinburgh for a one-day game against Scotland that could not come at a worse time.

Surely no Test players will be made to go, but it also comes around the time England Lions are playing Australia A, so just who will travel north of the border?

England will either force their best men to go to Scotland or they will award full caps to players who do not deserve them. Either way there will be a row.

Is this an opening for Rory?

Swashbuckling: Rory Hamilton-Brown

Kevin Pietersen’s controversial retirement from  one-day cricket leaves a gaping hole at the top of the order that had finally seemed to have been filled after years of chopping and changing.

Now England have got over the ‘disappointment’ of the timing of Pietersen’s 50-over exit they will have to decide who fills that gap alongside Alastair Cook, with the perennial problem of deciding whether to pick someone adept in English conditions or a batsman who can ‘tee off’ on flatter wickets abroad back on the agenda.

Ravi Bopara’s hundred for Essex opening the batting against Gloucestershire was well timed, while Ian Bell, Craig Kieswetter and even Jonathan Trott in home conditions are candidates.

Might the selectors go outside the tried and trusted, though, and bring in another of the young players making a mark on the domestic game?

Surrey captain Rory Hamilton-Brown has emerged as a one-day opener of some repute and is the intriguing option for the vacancy.

Magic...

The best story of the domestic season so far is not the prolific form of Nick Compton but the rise of a bunch of part-timers who have been sweeping aside all those before them.

The Netherlands, included in the CB40 competition only when Ireland withdrew in 2010, have beaten five counties this year and look certain to advance from  Group A. They will then be in touching distance of a Lord’s final.

Even though only three of the side were actually born in the Netherlands it is quite an achievement for a motley crew of cricketing journeymen and one that does not reflect well on the one-day standards of the county sides they have so comfortably defeated.

Not only that, any side who include a player called Tom (don’t call me Tommy) Cooper have to be encouraged. Just like that.

  More... Nasser Hussain: England selectors are right to rest Jimmy the gem now Top Spin Test Special: Pietersen returns to happy hunting ground Edgbaston Strauss insists he can keep a grip on fabled team spirit despite fuss over KP and Jimmy Top Spin: If Pietersen can afford to retire, we know where we stand



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