The Ashes: A Battle for Cricket Supremacy.
The Ashes, a century-old cricket rivalry between England and Australia, is set to begin its 73rd edition. However, Test cricket, the format played in the Ashes, is losing ground to faster and more lucrative Twenty20 cricket. The compressed schedule of the Ashes this year has caused concern among fans and commentators. The rise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other franchise leagues has shifted the balance of power from national boards to team owners, who want to tie star players to year-round contracts. This could have profound consequences for cricketers and for the future of Test cricket, including the Ashes.