When I last followed cricket the 5 test summer matches lasted all through summer - has something changed?

Question

The 5 cricket test matches started around May with the final one in September. They all seem to be one after another now. What is the reason for this?

Answer 1

never that i know of any test series went  go on for such a long period~

Answer 2

There are now 7 test matches each summer instead of 5.The first test starts about one week earlier and the last one about two weeks later.2 different touring sides come to england instead of one

Answer 3

There are one or two new test nations playing,(Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh) to name but two.  So two teams are invited to tour each summer now.  This year it's New Zealand and South Africa.  They each have three tests plus three to five One Day Internationals, and now, a Twenty20 series.  It's also about money.

The big exception remains Australia who are touring next summer on their own.  It's all about tradition, plus money.

Answer 4

There are now two summer tours, more ODIs and the inclusion of Twenty20 internationals, so in 2007 we had 4 Tests against the Windies, an ODI series, two twenty20s, then they went home and the Indian team toured and had Three Tests, some ODIs etc.

Answer 5

With todays heavy schedules, it would be impossible to accomodate that format now. I too miss those days, & the only thing that comes close is the Ashes series, which incidently was always the best.If India succeed in their push for IPL & other comps of that ilk begin, who knows what will happen to traditional cricket?

Answer 6

May be there were ODI series in between the test matches.  In normal course under no circumstances 5 test series will go on for such a long period.