Former England cricketer David Llyod lambasted the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the national men’s team’s schedule. David Llyod said the ICC is hardly concerned about the fans, given the relentless itinerary of the England team in various formats. David Lloyd seemed enraged with the overdose of cricket happening across the globe in current situation.
England’s inexperienced bowling unit toiled on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan as the hosts reached 328/4 at close on Day 1 and English commentator David Llyod felt that England’s inexperience due to hectic schedule was exposed at scorching heat in Rawalpindi.
England’s hectic schedule in summer of 2024
The English Test summer ended on 9 September with the series against Sri Lanka, but they were then engaged in a white-ball series against Australia from 11 September as the selectors had to rest a few players. However, a few players from the ODI series are now part of the Test tour of Pakistan, which began on 7 October.
England’s limited-overs side will begin their three-ODI and five-T20I series in the West Indies on 31 October. England also have a three-Test rubber in New Zealand in November-December, followed by a white-ball tour of India in January. Then, the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan the following month.
This type of over exertion with no rest in cricket has enraged former English cricketer now turned commentator David Llyod as he spoke bluntly about ICC’S non planned scheduling.
Former English cricketer David Llyod slams ICC for England Team’s schedule in 2024
Former England cricketer David Lloyd has blasted the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the national men’s team’s schedule. Lloyd pointed out that the ICC is hardly concerned about the fans, given the relentless itinerary of the England team across formats.
The English Test summer ended on September 9, but they engaged in a white-ball series against Australia from the 11th as the selectors had to rest a few players. However, a few players from the ODI series against Australia are now part of the Test tour of Pakistan, which began on October 7.
In his column for The Daily Mail, the 77-year-old stated that fans are struggling to plan under the current scenario about what matches to attend. David Llyod explained:
“The ICC knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing. It should be quality over quantity, but it is the other way round with them. Supporters are obviously the last people on their mind. A fan would usually save up and plan long in advance for a tour, maybe join a tour group and look forward to their trip. Now, where are they supposed to go?”
David Llyod added:
“Until last week, England’s armchair fans didn’t even know if they were going to be able to watch this series at all. ‘Is it going to be on telly?’ ‘Oh, they don’t know yet.’ It’s ridiculous. Are these people sat around a table drunk?”
England’s limited-overs specialists will begin their three-game ODI series and five-match T20I rubber in the West Indies on October 31.
The Englishmen also have a three-Test rubber in New Zealand in November-December, followed by a white-ball tour of India in January. Then, the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in the following month.
“Because of the schedule, teams have no time to prepare properly now” – David Lloyd
David Lloyd also pointed out that the scheduling has left touring teams hardly any time for warm-up games as away series are still quite hard to win. David Lloyd added:
“Because of the schedule, teams have no time to prepare properly now. They don’t play warm-up matches. They just rock up into a different country and start playing. I once took England to Lahore to prepare for a tournament in Sharjah as coach, and have been there two or three times with Sky. It is one of the great places to tour. Everyone talks about the Caribbean, Australia or New Zealand, but Pakistan is fabulous and great fun.”