John Buchanan wants MCG Boxing Day and SCG New Year's Tests stopped

Former director of New Zealand and coach of the Australian cricket team John Buchanan wants the scrapping of the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the New Year’s Test in Sydney. The veteran has also come up with a seven-point plan, which he wants Cricket Australia to embrace in a bid to end the pay dispute that risks the upcoming Ashes series.

According to Buchanan, if there were fewer Tests in Australia, it would give teams the option of touring New Zealand more. He wants the introduction of only three Tests per summer. This would mean the two biggest Tests on the calendar would be scrapped.

“CA in-season domestic and international scheduling must be overhauled to enable more elite players to play and be involved in club and state cricket,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan wants only three Tests in summers 

He wants CA to schedule Test matches from mid-November to mid-December, maximum three Tests should be played in that period – and at the same time, Boxing Day or New Year Test matches should be done with.

“Reducing the number of test matches will make them more valuable to attend, particularly if the new form of test cricket, pink-ball tests, increases in popularity. Touring teams then travel to New Zealand to play tests and ODIs or return home or other commitments,” the Australian World Cup winning coach was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.

BBL to expand horizons this season 

When the media tried to contact a CA spokesman regarding this, he did not wish to comment. Buchanan also asks for the state-based Matador one-day competition to be scrapped, with players to feature in the same format with their Big Bash League teams.

This summer the BBL will expand its horizons, the eight franchises will play more matches, but the unavailability of some stars – including Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith and David Warner– from the tournament due to international commitments, remains an issue.