That Aussie 'tour' was a waste of time for everyone concerned

FRED BOYCOTT: No first-class cricket was played, it was a depleted team devoid of any class batsmen, bowlers, wicketkeepers or fielders. It was nothing but a contractual obligation

^{Australia were well beaten in England this summer}

They came, they saw, they were conquered.

As nice as it is to welcome visitors to these shores, and give them a damn good thrashing, I find it difficult to see any point in the recent Australian 'tour'.

No first-class cricket was played, it was a depleted team devoid of any class batsmen, bowlers, wicketkeepers or fielders. It was nothing but a contractual obligation.

I'm sure it was a financial success, which is what many people will use as a measure, but as far as cricket goes the only purpose it has served is to damage the integrity of our domestic competitions and Test scheduling in this country this year.

The 'tour' lasted virtually the whole of June, during which time our premier domestic one-day Tournament, our FA Cup of cricket, reached its final stages. 

Vital matches were played by the counties with key players missing on England duty, for a meaningless one-day series.

^{Was there a need for the Aussies to come on tour?}

Indeed, during this period Yorkshire had to play a quarter-final and a semi-final deprived of their five best players. On top of this the semi-final was played in Southampton on a Monday!

Is that really the best day of the week to schedule a prestigious match, with a place in a Lord's domestic final up for grabs?

Not surprisingly Yorkshire succumbed. It was not to be the White Rose's year in the Royal London Handicap Cup.

So, the Aussies ruined our 50-over tournament. What other damage did they inflict?

Well, to start with, the two main tourists this year were supposed to be Pakistan and India; two strong teams guaranteed to fill grounds and give England a contest.

But take a quick look at the schedule.

Pakistan came over for two Tests. That was it. No T20s and no ODIs.

Now it's India's turn - three T20s, three ODIs and five Tests packed into two and a half months.

Furthermore, four Tests are crammed into August. Four Tests in one month. Crazy.

^{Australia captain Tim Paine}

Pakistan proved tough opposition, winning the first Test before England pulled level in the second. Finely balanced, it was screaming out for a third and final Test to decide the series. It was not to be; Pakistan had to make way for the Aussie second string. Bizarrely there was not even time for any white-ball cricket.

June, instead, was Australia's.

So now they have spoiled an exciting Test series and a domestic one-day cup, while the knock-on effect continues by pushing back the start of the India series to August.

Without the Aussie visit they could have easily scheduled a three-Test series for Pakistan and a three-match ODI series.

India, as the No.1 team in Test cricket, should be given five Tests by dropping the meaningless T20s and starting earlier in July.

All the Aussies achieved with their visit is screw up both the domestic and international calendar for everyone else.

So I suggest to them that unless they are here for an Ashes series that they take their reserves and their sandpaper and spend some time in Canada.

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