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Ashes still the ultimate

The current Ashes series is a contest between the fifth-best Test team in the world and a team ranked top but which has lost recent series to their nearest rivals. It is not a contest which will really shape the hierarchy in Test cricket, but is one that will define the year and perhaps careers of those involved.

Such is the importance of Ashes contests to England and Australia. England’s momentous 2-1 win in 2005 was not memorable because it was against the best team in the world, but because it was Australia. Pride was restored after 18 years of Ashes humiliation.

Ashes contests obviously have a weight of history. It is cricket’s oldest rivalry, now standing at 318 Tests, each with a different story that shaped a cricketing relationship which has veered between hatred and mutual respect, with much in between.

The elevated status of Ashes series is partly due the fact they are contested over five matches. Extended series have more ebb and flow and provide more opportunity for memorable events.

India have not played a five match series since they visited the Caribbean in 2001/02 and it is something the ICC need to look at – the Border-Gavaskar trophy is the most keenly-contested and high quality series in world cricket, so make it last for five matches.

This is why a world Test championship is becoming a priority for the ICC. Test cricket is considered to be under threat and something more than a rankings system is needed to decide who the best is.

Nonetheless, Ashes protagonists would find it difficult to prioritise other series, whatever the circumstances. Any English or Australian cricket fan would take an Ashes series win over a world title of any description, although it is perhaps best to look at it from a point of view of losing an Ashes series.

Losing 5-0 in Australia was the lowest point of the careers of the English players involved – it certainly was for the supporters. Would Indian fans rather lose 5-0 to Pakistan and win the world Test championship, or beat Pakistan and miss out on the silverware? No contest, surely.

For now, make sure you keep an eye on the Third Test odds before any Third Test betting and check out Betfair’s new fanvfan site for some good old-fashioned rivalry!