NEW DELHI: Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen has stirred a dialogue concerning the scheduling of England’s Check matches, urging cricket authorities to prioritise home cricket summers to nurture the game’s future.
Pietersen took to X to state: “I believe it’s solely honest to ALWAYS have a summer season of cricket in your house nation. The one strategy to develop the sport successfully [is] by permitting kids to observe their heroes reside.”
His remark comes within the wake of England’s demanding 2024 Check cricket calendar, spanning a number of continents and leaving restricted room for younger English followers to witness video games reside through the vital summer season months.
In the summertime of 2024, England performed six residence Exams in opposition to West Indies and Sri Lanka from July to September.
The profitable collection have been capped by dominating wins, comparable to their 10-wicket victory at Lord’s in opposition to West Indies and a 190-run triumph in opposition to Sri Lanka.
Nonetheless, critics, together with Pietersen, argue that the essence of summer season cricket may very well be overshadowed by a crowded worldwide calendar that prioritises year-round commitments.
England’s schedule moved swiftly from residence matches to away collection in Pakistan and New Zealand, with no respite, resulting in a gruelling workload for gamers and fewer constant alternatives for English followers to have interaction with the nationwide workforce throughout home circumstances.
Whereas the workforce maintained excessive requirements, comparable to defeating Pakistan by an innings and overwhelming New Zealand in Wellington, fatigue and logistical pressure surfaced in prolonged excursions.
Trying forward, England’s future fixtures embody internet hosting Zimbabwe for a solitary Check in Could 2025 and India for a marquee collection beginning in June.
