England plan full-fledged 5-match Test series against South Africa, Pakistan

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is planning to resume the five-match Test series against other nations apart from India and Australia. As per the reports in the Telegraph, it is learned that the governing body is looking to give priority to galvanize interest in the format.

The ECB is planning to host Pakistan and South Africa in 2028, a year that falls between England hosting Australia and India in Test matches. The step to play a five-match series against other teams is an attempt by the ECB to attract fans for games beyond the 'big three'.

ECB is focusing on hosting Pakistan and South Africa in a five-match Test series to bring change to Test cricket

ECB is focusing on hosting Pakistan and South Africa, which have great support in the UK. The governing body is discussing options for both four- and five-match Test series, but they are most interested in five games as they believe that it will bring remarkable change in Test cricket.

The 'big three' - Australia, England and India are the only ones who play a five-match Test series. While the rest of the teams have been involved in two or three matches in the series. India Australia, England, and India have been involved in a series of more than three Tests since England defeated South Africa 3-1 in 2019/20.

England and Wales Cricket Board is planning to host one big series from 2028 rather than hosting two three-match Test series

ECB is planning to host one big series from 2028 rather than hosting two three-match Test series - as during last summer when England hosted West Indies and Sri Lanka. However, from 2028, there will be a series of four or five Tests, alongside a one or two-game series against another opponent

The Ben Stokes-led side is scheduled to host 6 Tests in 2028, and they believe that inviting other teams for longer series will allow them to give greater emphasis to the Test game. ECB has been long concerned over the summers when neither Australia nor India tour for a Test series as they struggle to engage the public.

This has seen the ECB keep white-ball tours from Australia and India so that they engage the public by inviting one of these heavyweights to visit for a limited-overs series during years when neither plays a Test and they take on other teams.

ECB aims to make Test cricket attractive even when India and Australia are not around the corner

The major point of the ECB to invite other countries for longer series is to make Test cricket attractive even when India and Australia are not around the corner. Test cricket remains the governing body's biggest source of generating good revenue.

Grounds in the United Kingdom are mostly sold out when the Ben Stokes-led side plays Test cricket. It remains to be seen if this step from the governing body works or not.

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