It's Too Much! Michael Atherton Criticizes Surplus Scheduling Of Cricket Events

Cricketer-turned-commentator Michael Atherton has slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) and National Cricket Boards for conducting a surplus amount of cricket events throughout the year. Michael Atherton said that there is too much cricket happening throughout the year and fans are unable to follow it.

Notably, just after the 45-day-long ICC ODI World Cup 2023, many international teams are already playing their next series. Just four days after the India vs Australia final in the ICC ODI World Cup final, both teams locked horns in a five-match T20I series.

Some Australian players like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc also slammed the scheduling of the series, which did not give them enough time to celebrate their World Cup victory. While 7 Aussie players stayed back in India to play in the series, 5 flew to Australia.

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It’s Too Much! We Cannot Work Out Who’s Playing Where: Michael Atherton

While speaking to Sky Sports, former England cricketer Michael Atherton said that too many cricket events have made it hard for fans to follow the sport. He also noted that four World Cup tournaments happened during the last five years.

“The one overriding feeling for me is the schedule. More and more people I talk to — this maybe a reflection of the type of people I talk to or the age of people I talk to — they say to me that just cannot follow it. It’s too much! We cannot work out who’s playing where, what’s important.

It’s everything coming together! Three forms of international cricket and then the franchise cricket put on top or underneath. And then an ICC event every year! Since 2019, we’ve had four World Cups in five years!” Michael Atherton said.

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Michael Atherton, who represented England from 1989 to 2001, also feels that cricket is devouring itself due to overriding complexity caused by hectic scheduling.

“That’s the thing that still stands out to me in the men’s game: just the overriding complexity! Cricket seems to be devouring itself! It’s very hard for supporters to keep on top of everything.” the 55-year-old further added.

Notably, ODI World Cup finalists Australia and India are playing their second series after the final. Australia is currently facing Pakistan in a three-match Test series. Indian Team is on a tour to South Africa for a multi-format series. The T20I series concluded on Thursday, December 14.