Any ideas why they were scheduled at all?
This is where we're heading.
Not sure if it has anything to do with NZ qualifying for the Test Championship final
I would guess this is why, they'll be coming over to the UK for it anyway so makes sense for them to play some more fixtures whilst they're here?
Although not too impressed having bought 12 tickets to Edgbaston that half the players won't even be involved... not that we'll care past 11.30am and 4 pints lol
Not sure that this is fair during a 17-test calendar year?
I have started to think since the beginning of the Silverwood era when it became clear that England would revert to a more traditional approach to Test cricket that the number of multi-format players should be minimised where possible to avoid these issues. I think Stokes is the only player who should unquestionably be in the Test and limited overs teams and Archer possibly.This would avoid a situation like this where Moeen who is a peripheral Test player is being criticised for (potentially) prioritising 14+ games in the format in which he is the most valuable to England moving forward as he is considered a marginally better option currently than his counterpart in the Test squad.I suppose the counter argument is potential resentment amongst those who could potentially get an IPL contract resenting being pigeon-holed as Test players.
I hate the idea that if you don't see money as the most important thing then you are somehow simple, naive or immature.