ECB and ICC REJECT calls to put reserve days in for Ashes Tests after Australia held the urn following a last-day dropout at Old Trafford… insisting such a move would cost £1.5million over a five-match series
- Australia kept the ashes after the final day of the Fourth Test washed out
- England were in excellent position to win, but the weather dashed their hopes
- It sparked calls from around the cricketing world for reserve days to be introduced
The ECB and the ICC have rejected calls to introduce reserve days for Ashes Tests as a non-starter, saying such a move would cost more than £1.5 million over a five-match series.
Former Australia bowler Brad Hogg has backed calls from frustrated supporters for reserve days following the Old Trafford breakout, but those who run the sport see them as logistically impossible due to cost and the tight international schedule, with ICC rules mandating a three-day minimum. rest for the players between tests.
Most of the cost of hosting test matches in England is borne by the venue, sources say Mail sports that the price of staff and security is about £200,000 a day, which is recouped through ticket sales and catering income.
An extra day would generate no additional ticket revenue, as existing ticket holders would be entitled to free entry, but costs would remain broadly similar.
In addition, Sky Sports, the ECB’s host broadcaster, also spends around £150,000 a day on production and infrastructure costs, a figure that doesn’t include paying their on-screen talent.
The ECB and the ICC have rejected calls to introduce reserve days for asbestos, citing the cost
The last day of the Fourth Test at Old Trafford faded so Australia kept the Ashes
Sky also pays the ECB a rights fee of £15m for each test match as part of their £220m a year media deal, a payment that would have to be renegotiated if the game were carried over to a sixth day.
The World Test Championship between Australia and India at The Oval in June had a reserve day, but that was a one-off showpiece at the end of a two-year cycle.
Television coverage of the WTC was also provided by ICC’s own production company, ICCTV, which undertook all costs.
ICC sources have also said so Mail sports that they are not willing to change the minimum rest period of three days between matches to facilitate the introduction of reserve days.
It was very frustrating for Ben Stokes’ side who were in a dominant position to win the game
The World Test Championship between Australia and India at The Oval in June had a reserve day, but that was a one-off showpiece at the end of a two-year cycle