(He’s retired. He hasn’t died.)

…because the women’s teams play too few matches – especially tests – even though the improved quality through the professionalisation of the women’s game makes test cricket very followable, watchable and discussion-worthy.

Oh Sam! Terrible timing. Have you slept it off yet?

The way the money is distributed is a key element. An overhaul would better protect the less wealthy nations but unfortunately Ged’s overfishing analogy would still apply.

I would happily see the end of the seemingly annual 5 match ODI series against Australia or India, on that we can definitely agree.

The rest of your proposals though seem to gloss over the huge difference in finances between various cricket boards. The aforementioned Australia and India series are examples of board greed, I’m not sure tours to other countries can be seen in the same way. I may be wrong but as far as I understand it, the vast majority of income earned from a bilateral series goes to the host board. The current “B-team-fuelled fulfilment of contractual obligations” in the Caribbean right now isn’t actually benefiting the ECB much at all, other than helping to keep the WICB afloat and able to send teams to the UK in the future. Incidentally the series is proving a far better sporting contest than the MAshes proved to be.

It’s a similar story with the annual ICC events, the smaller nations are keen for the events as it is a way of providing them with needed revenue.

I can agree with your overall point but not think that the focus should be on financial reforms for the game as a whole, with England’s reduced fixture list as a benefit. England unilaterally deciding they aren’t going to play as many games is a bad thing probably resulting in even more games against India and Australia as they run out of other alternatives.

All those late nights and early mornings following the dull, dreary MAshes, and as soon as an exciting match comes along I sleep through the whole thing.

I was following the OBO, seemed like it was quite something.

And now I really should go to sleep.

A gut-wrenching last over draw.

Wonderful test cricket.

…the Washes…

…I have woken up in time for the last hour of the test…

…shove it blah blah!