For some time in the UK now, 2012 has been synonymous with the London Olympics. However, now that 2011 has only three months or so remaining, the coming year is set to signify a whole lot more. On top of the winter commitments against Pakistan (in Dubai) and Sri Lanka, the ECB has announced that England's first-string cricketers will face a further three countries next summer.
The days of a single, or even two touring sides visiting these shores to add some pizzazz to grounds around the country are apparently long gone. There's no respite for anyone these days. The poor West Indies play three Tests, three ODIs and a T20I in May and June, presumably to get England off to a confidence-boosting start. Five days later, the Aussies play the first of five 50-over fixtures against England. Normally some games against Clarke, Ponting, Hussey et al would be the highlight of the season but not in 2012. Amidst Olympic fever, England then play three potentially very competitive Test matches against South Africa and it is hoped that the clash with the world's greatest sporting event does not detract too much from the matches in London and Leeds, especially the Second Test at Headingley which takes place in the middle of the Games fortnight.
There follows five more ODIs in under two weeks and three T20Is as a sop to northern county grounds. Time for a rest? Er, no. Nine days after the last 20-over thrash, it's off to Sri Lanka to defend the World T20 title. Phew!
I suppose there is mileage in backloading T20 internationals in order to provide pre-tournament match practice, but it does seem such a shame to restrict South Africa to only three Test matches. The five ODIs against Australia also seem a token bid to grab money for a meaningless series, and I can't imagine the Aussie players would be too ecstatic at travelling halfway around the world for it either.
Perhaps the emergence of almost totally different squads for the different formats makes it less of a burden on individual players. Strauss, Cook, Bell, Prior, Anderson and a few others will presumably get some evenings off while Kieswetter, Hales, Bopara, Buttler, Briggs and Bairstow will get some floodlit T20 action. The 'horses for courses' policy does have its advantages. although I am concerned that most young English players (and those from other countries, too) are expected to be blooded in the short format rather than the true cricketing academy that is the first-class arena.
England cricket fans will have to get used to the mystery of who the opposition are week by week but if the recent string of successes continues it'll be a case of not caring; just bring 'em on!
