7 Match ODI Series'

Key fixtures involving Australia, South Africa and India have been released recently, and the one noteworthy discussion point is the glut of 7 match ODI series. With the Future Tours Programme jam-packed and test cricket struggling to maintain its relevance and importance in the international game, these needless and revenue-raising series are detrimental. Australia and India's ODI series sandwiched between two Ashes series is extremely puzzling, even more so considering the same series preceded the 2010/11 Ashes series which Australia lost.

It is also disappointing that India and South Africa have decided to play a 7 match ODI series, yet only three tests. There were rumours about the possibility of a fourth test, yet the power-brokers obviously could not resist the lure of more limited overs matches. I guess at least Cricket South Africa have decided to play a test on Boxing Day this year, after controversially scrapping it for a T20I against New Zealand last year.

In more ODI matches for India, they will travel to Zimbabwe directly after the ODI Tri Series in the West Indies for a 5 match series in Zimbabwe. On the contrary to the above I have no problem with this series. Zimbabwe and Bangladesh need these fixtures against quality opposition to improve. They hardly play any cricket so a lengthy ODI series will do Zimbabwe well. Also the fact that Zimbabwe Cricket is in dire straits financially, this series will do them wonders.

Just as an aside, India are certainly playing many ODI's. So far two against Pakistan, five against England, five in the Champions Trophy, as well as four/five in the current Tri-series. Still to come are five against Zimbabwe, seven against Australia, seven against South Africa, two/three against New Zealand and then three/four in the Asia Cup. That is a whopping 40-43 matches in a 14 month span.
 
July/August 2013: India tour of Zimbabwe (5 ODI's)
October/November 2013: Australia tour of India (7 ODI's, 1 T20I)
November 2013 - January 2014: India tour of South Africa (3 Tests, 7 ODI's, 2 T20I's)
February/March 2014: Australia tour of South Africa (3 Tests, 3 T20I's)

*For dates of Full Fixtures; see the Fixtures tab at the top of the homepage