England Test captain Ben Stokes has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the respective boards to collectively consult players when preparing the Future Tours Programme.
After the Edgbaston Test, England will get a three-week break for The Hundred – their longest this year – before playing Sri Lanka in a three-match Test series until September 10, followed by an eight-match white-ball series at home against Australia, starting from the very next day. Following that, the schedule becomes even more hectic, with a Test tour to Pakistan, a white-ball series in the West Indies, and three Tests in New Zealand slated to take place this year. The short turnaround between series leaves players with limited time to rest and recover.
Speaking at a press conference before the final Test of the three-match series between England and West Indies, Stokes expressed his long-held concern against the cramped cricketing calendar, aggravated by the mushrooming of various lucrative franchise leagues.
When asked whether the busy schedule could harm his Test ambitions, he answered, "I hope not. It is something that does need to be addressed."
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"Who knows what international cricket is going to look like, with all the franchise stuff that is going on as well? It does need to get looked at. The landscape is constantly changing. I don't think anyone can put their hand on their heart and say they know what cricket is going to look like in even two years' time," Stokes added.
Stokes: I think some consultation might be quite nice
The all-rounder suggested that players must be consulted and their opinions be considered while scheduling international tours: "I think some consultation might be quite nice, obviously to Jos (Buttler) and myself. The FTP could maybe see the people playing in it consulted, and I think we could have some good input in that."
When asked whether the preparation of the ongoing FTP running between 2023 and 2027 was discussed with him, Stokes sounded guarded in his response: "Yes and no. Make of that what you will."
England will enter the final Test with a 2-0 lead, having sealed the three-match series after defeating the West Indies comprehensively at Trent Bridge.
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