Australian cricketers push for revised summer schedule in wake of failing production line

A one-day tournament being used as a pre-season hit-out and the extended Big Bash League are among reasons Australia’s best batsmen can’t regularly find their best form — and the players want action to fix the issue.

Hilton Cartwright in action in the Big Bash League, which now blocks out a significant period of the domestic four-day competition. Pic: AAP

Cricket Australia is considering scrapping its pre-season 50-over tournament next summer as part of a players’ led push to fix the game’s broken production line.

Players have told The Australian Cricketers’ Association they want dramatic changes made to the domestic schedule, including one-day games being interspersed through the season rather than jammed into a two-and-a-half week window in October.

They also want CA to prioritise playing as many domestic matches as possible on major international venues to get away from the increasing trend of State games taking place at suburban parks with postage stamp sized fields and flat pitches.

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Australian captain Tim Paine revealed the top players had been in deep discussion with the union to improve the current system, following a year of consistent failures by the Test top order and a dearth of alternative options outside the top XI.

In a major blow it’s considered almost impossible for administrators to address one glaring problem highlighted by Ricky Ponting, that the seven-week Big Bash League window has wiped out any chance of scheduling Sheffield Shield matches during the Test summer to help those vying for positions to both stay in, and prove form.

Victorian players pose with the JLT One-Day Cup 2018 Trophy. Pic: AAP

The enormous gap between December and late February for Shield matches is a thorn in the side for Test selectors, but the booming popularity of the BBL dictates that it must be prioritised for fans and broadcasters.

But while sneaking a Shield match into January remains unlikely, The Daily Telegraph understands CA is very much open to other major proposals aimed at raising standards and directly preparing players for the rigours of international cricket.

There is a belief that the domestic 50-over format’s current status as a pre-season tournament has been a disaster and has seriously compromised Australia’s World Cup defence, which will launch next year on the back of the country’s worst-ever run of losses.

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Matches have often been hosted at small suburban grounds in Sydney, and the pokey pitches and tiny boundaries have done nothing to improve batting and players’ ability to perform under pressure.

Players want CA to lobby major stadiums like the SCG for more domestic matches to ensure batting talent isn’t crushed by the power the AFL yields in the maintenance of the big grounds in months like March and October.

The ACA will meet with Cricket Australia’s scheduling committee to formally lodge the proposals, but it’s understood administrators are already receptive.

In the old days Shield matches would often take place during the week with a one-day fixture between the same teams to follow on the weekend. A return to this model is a possibility.

Aussie skipper Tim Paine trudges off after being dismissed against India. Pic: Michael Klein

Matt Renshaw has lamented his inability to push his case via Sheffield Shield cricket. Pic: AAP

National coach Justin Langer says it’s clear the system isn’t producing enough international quality players.

“I think the results would suggest they’re not. Most of our batters who are knocking on the door are averaging in the 30s,” said Langer.

“Whether it’s the system, I’m not sure. Whether it’s something we’ve got to change in our psyche, I’m not sure.

“(But) it would suggest we’ve got some work to do on (the art of batting).”

Originally published as Australian cricketers push for revised summer schedule in wake of failing production line