Cricket's Turn in the Sun

Last summer England took on South Africa in what should have been one of the best contests of the day. Instead the Test matches were an anti climax in terms of the competition they provided. With the cricket team on the back foot, but failing to hit a thing, it was hardly surprising that the public were attracted by the once in a lifetime, British success that was the Olympics. Furthermore, the summer ended on sour note with the resignation of Andrew Strauss. But this year, all being well, it will be cricket's turn to shine and to take centre stage as England face Australia in back to back Ashes series, and a myriad ODIs and T20s.

Worryingly however, a subject has been made of this being Test cricket's final stand especially In a world where cricket is dominated by its largest market, India, a market where Test cricket is very much on the decline. England and Australia are perhaps the only two countries where Tests still have a prestige status, and this year may be the last chance for them to prove this point, especially considering the ICC's unwillingness to introduce the long awaited Test Championship.

The cricketing year is already underway as England complete their ODI series in India. And after an extremely successful Test series which saw England win in India for the first time in 28 years, English fans have every right to be excited about the year to come. It is likely that the battle with Australia will be tighter than last year's South African series, and the added history between the two sides always enlivens the experience.

England should find rejuvenation in the appointment of a new Test captain. Alastair Cook has already begun his tenure with an astonishing 562 runs and a series victory in India. He will have plenty of opportunities to add to his rocketing reputation when he takes his team to New Zealand and then welcomes the Black Caps to England at the beginning of summer. Based on their most recent displays against South Africa, the Kiwis should provide little more than batting practice before the feature presentation of a five match Ashes series. After a bout of limited overs cricket, England will then travel immediately down under and, hopefully, beat back the Aussies for a second time.

It is hoped that this will provide cricket with its chance to excite the British public, and even more importantly, provide Test cricket with its opportunity to show the world that it still has a role to play in the modern game. An exciting Ashes battle may be able to achieve both of those objectives, but it will still take a concerted effort from the ICC and the BCCI to help keep test cricket alive. After a much anticipated ODI and T20 series between India and Pakistan, perhaps it would send a powerful message if that contest were to include a number of Test matches during its next occurrence.

It is certain that cricket will have to compete with the new British obsession of cycling, and the rising prospects of our tennis players, but the draw of an historic feud should propel the sport to the forefront and make it the year of the red, seamed ball.