Last three seasons venues have hosted countries

[spell_check]

This shows the last three seasons that a venue has hosted each opposing country. It shows that Adelaide is overdue in hosting one against Pakistan and Melbourne and Sydney against New Zealand. Interesting that the WACA has hosted Tests against the most nations.

Adelaide Oval:
New Zealand: 2008/09, 2004/05, 1987/88
India: 2007/08, 2003/04, 1999/00
England: 2006/07, 2002/03, 1998/99
West Indies: 2005/06, 2000/01, 1996/97
South Africa: 2001/02, 1997/98, 1993/94
Sri Lanka: 1995/96
Pakistan: 1989/90, 1983/84, 1976/77

Bellerive Oval:
Sri Lanka: 2007/08, 1989/90
West Indies: 2005/06
New Zealand: 2001/02, 1997/98, 1993/94
Pakistan: 1999/00, 1995/96

Cairns:
Sri Lanka: 2004/05
Bangladesh: 2003/04

Gabba:
New Zealand: 2008/09, 2004/05, 2001/02
Sri Lanka: 2007/08, 1989/90
England: 2006/07, 2002/03, 1998/99
West Indies: 2005/06, 2000/01, 1996/97
India: 2003/04, 1991/92, 1977/78
Pakistan: 1999/00, 1995/96, 1983/84

Marrara:
Sri Lanka: 2004/05
Bangladesh: 2003/04

Melbourne:
South Africa: 2008/09, 2005/06, 2001/02
India: 2007/08, 2003/04, 1999/00
England: 2006/07, 2002/03, 1998/99
Pakistan: 2004/05, 1989/90, 1983/84
West Indies: 2000/01, 1996/97, 1992/93
Sri Lanka: 1995/96
New Zealand: 1987/88, 1980/81, 1973/74

Sydney:
South Africa: 2008/09, 2001/02, 1997/98
India: 2007/08, 2003/04, 1999/00
England: 2006/07, 2002/03, 1998/99
Pakistan: 2004/05, 1995/96, 1989/90
Zimbabwe: 2003/04
West Indies: 2000/01, 1996/97, 1992/93
New Zealand: 1985/86, 1976/77, 1973/74

WACA:
South Africa: 2008/09, 2005/06
India: 2007/08, 1991/92, 1977/78
England: 2006/07, 2002/03, 1998/99
Pakistan: 2004/05, 1999/00, 1983/84
Zimbabwe: 2003/04
New Zealand: 2001/02, 1997/98, 1993/94
West Indies: 2000/01, 1996/97, 1992/93
Sri Lanka: 1995/96, 1987/88

[the big bang]

NZ havnt been to MCG or SCG for 20-odd years!!!

[Gozu]

I was just going through something in my head the other day, our most recent performances home and away against all Test playing nations. Correct me if I get any wrong I just want to know if I have it right. Excluding the yet to be completed series.

Country----at Home/Away

vs. New Zealand--won 2-0/won 2-0 (1 draw)
vs. South Africa--won 2-0 (1 draw)/won 3-0
vs. Zimbabwe--won 2-0/won 1-0
vs. England--won 5-0/lost 2-1 (2 draws)
vs. West Indies--won 3-0/won 2-0 (1 draw)
vs. Sri Lanka--won 2-0/won 3-0
vs. Bangladesh--won 2-0/won 2-0
vs. Pakistan--won 3-0/won 3-0
vs. India--won 2-1 (1 draw)/lost 2-0 (2 draws)

[MADDOG3]

It doesn't surprise me that Sydney and Melbourne haven't had NZ for 20 years... Adelaide gets the craptacular game against NZ again, Perth gets the marquee game against CricketBoks and still can't produce a half-decent crowd!

Time Adelaide was rewarded for turning up to its Tests.

[FlyingHigh]

As much as people bag the Kiwis, I reckon it would have been great to have a five test series against them a few years ago, with the likes of Fleming, Cairns, Vettori, Bond, Parore, McMillan, and others, who were always prepared to fight.

[MagicKiwi]

Yes.

[Lightning McQueen]

I thought we got it wrong by scheduling the South African clash at the WACA, it would've been better for us to play the Kiwi's there and South Africa in Adelaide or the Gabba.

The Gabba is the closest pitch conditions to any NZ wicket that we have, besides Bellerive, the WACA is the most unlike any NZ wicket. South Africa has always had a good pace attack which works in their favour by playing at the WACA. A touch of arrogance perhaps.

On another note, what goes with having two match test series, what a joke, wouldn't it be more practical for an odd number. In previous years when we played three match series instead of five, we would play two lots of them and give the Tasmanians a game, are they not worthy, does CA not make enough money to play down there?

[spell_check]

I thought the excuse was there was not enough room in the schedule for a Hobart Test. But I think they try not to schedule one there probably because of costs.

Having said that, CA want the next Ashes here in 2010/11 to be 6 Tests, so Hobart can have one for a change. Bellerive would be jam packed for that, so there wouldn't be much risk for losses.

[Lightning McQueen]

I thought the excuse was there was not enough room in the schedule for a Hobart Test. But I think they try not to schedule one there probably because of costs.

Having said that, CA want the next Ashes here in 2010/11 to be 6 Tests, so Hobart can have one for a change. Bellerive would be jam packed for that, so there wouldn't be much risk for losses.

One would think with the ticket prices and attendances around the country that money wouldn't be an issue. Greediness springs to mind.

[LaughingKookaburra]

For what matters I beleive we should have played a 5 Test series with South Africa. We should do the same with England and India aswell. It's the same with our Tour to India aswell, how Australia did not get a game at Eden Gardens imho is an absolute disgrace. The best team in the world rankings deserves to play at the best venues. There is not many better in the world than Eden Gardens.

[jointman]

For what matters I beleive we should have played a 5 Test series with South Africa. We should do the same with England and India aswell. It's the same with our Tour to India aswell, how Australia did not get a game at Eden Gardens imho is an absolute disgrace. The best team in the world rankings deserves to play at the best venues. There is not many better in the world than Eden Gardens.

isn't it a 6 test series 3 home and 3 away?

[Lightning McQueen]

For what matters I beleive we should have played a 5 Test series with South Africa. We should do the same with England and India aswell. It's the same with our Tour to India aswell, how Australia did not get a game at Eden Gardens imho is an absolute disgrace. The best team in the world rankings deserves to play at the best venues. There is not many better in the world than Eden Gardens.

isn't it a 6 test series 3 home and 3 away?

No

[LaughingKookaburra]

Test cricket has never worked like that. 2 totally different series. I am actually looking forward to the away series,I beleive it will be a cracker....

[Lightning McQueen]

Test cricket has never worked like that. 2 totally different series. I am actually looking forward to the away series,I beleive it will be a cracker....

I reckon we'll get flogged.

[jointman]

its good for the game of cricket...was getting abit boring with the aussies flogging everyone

[LaughingKookaburra]

Time will tell. I reckon theres bugger all between the top 4 sides in world cricket atm. Good for the game.

[Pumba]

Time will tell. I reckon theres bugger all between the top 4 sides in world cricket atm. Good for the game.

whos the 4th side?

[FlyingHigh]

I know everyone will point to busy schedules etc, but is there much point in having two series where the trophy is up for grabs within a couple of months? If SA win again, it just proves they are better at the moment, which we already know. If the Aussies win, then what's the use of SA holding it for a couple of months? Further, we won't then be playing them again for another whole four years - compare the sides last time they played.

Ditto playing India twice within the space of 10 months.

However, the Ashes, roughly every couple of years builds the anticipation, plus teams are similar or evolving, rather than being the same for two consecutive series and then totally different in a few years time.

[wycbloods]

I know everyone will point to busy schedules etc, but is there much point in having two series where the trophy is up for grabs within a couple of months? If SA win again, it just proves they are better at the moment, which we already know. If the Aussies win, then what's the use of SA holding it for a couple of months? Further, we won't then be playing them again for another whole four years - compare the sides last time they played.

Ditto playing India twice within the space of 10 months.

However, the Ashes, roughly every couple of years builds the anticipation, plus teams are similar or evolving, rather than being the same for two consecutive series and then totally different in a few years time.

Good point i think the way the Ashes are played is the ideal way to plan matches between the test playing nations. Twice in 4 months then not for 4 years is a stupid way to do it IMO.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Australia, South Africa, India and England are all very competative with each other atm, then there is daylight with the rest. Ok England have lost to India away and South Africa at home but they were still highly competative. Hey If Australia took their chances in Melbourne they probably would have won this series, but they did'nt and stats will show this.