Sophia Gardens to host tests between 2007 and 2009
Sophia Gardens, where Bangladesh famously beat Australia last year, will host test matches starting from next season till the 2009 Ashes.
A committee appointed by the ECB came to the conclusion that the ground was ready to host test cricket. Cardiff will host its first test against Australia in the 2009 Ashes.
In 2007, West Indies will play at Chester-le-Street, Headingley, Lord’s and Old Trafford while India play at The Oval, Lord’s and Trent Bridge.
In 2008, New Zealand play at Lord’s, Old Trafford and Trent Bridge while South Africa play at The Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley and Lord’s.
In 2009, Zimbabwe, assuming they're still a test team then, play at Lord's. The venue for the second test is undecided. Perhaps the assumption is that by then the ICC will limit test series against Zimbabwe to not exceed one test. The Ashes tests will be played at The Oval, Sophia Gardens, Edgbaston, Headingley and Lord’s.
This means that Old Trafford and Trent Bridge will not host Ashes tests in 2009, despite the thrilling games at those venues last year.
I can only assume that West Indies playing four tests when India plays only three is for historic and reciprocity reasons.
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In 2008 South Africa get four Tests, which baffles me. India are a far better side and are surely a bigger draw in the UK. Aren't they? I know that scheduling dictates who tours when, but I can't help but compare.
Also, it's hard to escape the feeling that whichever tour is the shorter, it's merely a warm-up for the later, longer touring side later in the summer.
By 
Blue and Brown (20 Apr 2006, 9:55:00 pm)
Like I mentioned, there is history and reciprocity involved. WI has traditionally had a 5 test series against England (Wisden Trophy). The fact that it is getting knocked off to 4 tests is significant in itself, just as it was significant that the 2005/06 Frank Worrell Trophy was just a 3 test series. Ditto England v South Africa, although the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy only started in 2004/05.
The reciprocity bit is that England played three tests in India, so India play 3 in England. In 2002, India played 4 tests in England since the BCCI had in 2001/02 scheduled an extra one-dayer, which actually resulted in England drawing the one-day series rather than losing! England played 4 tests in WI the last time they were there.
By Jagadish (21 Apr 2006, 1:11:00 am)
Well let's see if India get seven one-dayers then...
Anyway, don't defend the ECB. Where's the fun in that?
By Blue and Brown (21 Apr 2006, 5:38:00 pm)
I think 7 one-dayers was a quid-pro-quo for playing a triangular tournament in England during the next tour. The BCCI, rightly, expected the Indian team to get to the final of the triangular series => 7 games (3 rounds of prelims + 1 final)
Yeah, there's no fun in defending the ECB. So here goes: I'm sure the ECB would milk India's visit even more by scheduling a 3 game series as well, like they did last year against Australia!
By Jagadish (21 Apr 2006, 5:58:00 pm)
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