Advertisement

'Can't be serious': Cricket world divided over 142-year Ashes first

Yahoo Sport Australia

A controversial approval by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the upcoming Ashes series has sparked heated debate in the cricket world.

For 142 years, players from Australia and England have donned simple plain cricket whites during Ashes matches, much like the all-white dress code synonymous with the tennis grand slam at Wimbledon.

However, that tradition will be cast aside in a bid to improve the experience for fans and expand the reach of the sport around the world.

The ICC has confirmed the initiative as part of a much wider promotional plan around the World Test Championship.

The change to Ashes tradition has sparked debate in the cricket world. Pic: Getty
The change to Ashes tradition has sparked debate in the cricket world. Pic: Getty

England and Australia’s latest battle for the urn begins on August 1 and will mark the beginning of the Test Championship, a nine-team competition set to run until 2021 which – it is hoped – could give added context to the longest format of the game.

Names and numbers on the back of shirts have been a distinction in the limited-overs formats for a number of years and worn by players in both the Sheffield Shield and the County Championship.

But it will prove a watershed in Test cricket, in which matches have been played in plain cream or white shirts since the inaugural game between England and Australia in 1877.

The move has proven particularly divisive in the cricket world, with many fans welcoming what they insist is a long-overdue initiative seen in most other sports.

Unsurprisingly, the move has also irked many cricketing traditionalists, who view the Test cricket whites as a proud tradition the game needs to keep hold of.

Former Aussie Test spinner Gavin Robertson told Fox Sports he believes introducing names and numbers on the back of shirts is a terrible idea.

“They can’t be serious,” Robertson said. “We’ve really got to hold on to tradition in this game.

For the first time in Ashes history, the names and numbers of players will feature on shirts. Pic: Getty
For the first time in Ashes history, the names and numbers of players will feature on shirts. Pic: Getty

“I’m not trying to act old but my old man’s a classic at this, he sometimes gets emotional and gives me the ‘get stuffed’ award. The ‘get stuffed’ award is about please just leave what’s beautiful about the game alone.

“Just picture it, the Ashes first over and bowler A runs in with his number on the back, like he’s leaving the game and going to play second row for Warrington.

“Let’s leave the numbers out and let’s fight for the traditions of the game. It’s a beautiful game.”

Many fans on social media agreed with Robertson’s take on the issue.

Numbers and names on the back of the International One Day shirts were introduced in the 1990s.

County cricket in England introduced players name and number on cricket whites back in 2003.

England will seek to regain the urn during the five-match series that begins at Edgbaston on 1 August this year after Australia won the 2017-18 series.

With agencies