Leave the Ashes alone: Mike Atherton lashes ‘bonkers’ BBL move, India Test suggestion

Former England cricket captain Mike Atherton has slammed the sport's obsession with commercial expansion, labelling Cricket Australia's decision to hold next summer's BBL opener in India between the Scorchers and Renegades as 'bonkers' and 'disrespectful'.

In his latest column in The Times, Atherton also lashed any suggestion that England and Australia should be encouraged to play an Ashes Test Match in India after comments made to the BBC by Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg.

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"It's not something that we are planning, but it's open for consideration… we'd have to be open to considering all options," Greenberg said, much to Atherton's dismay.

Since retiring from Test cricket in 2001 Atherton has built a second career in the media, becoming one of the most respected and thoughtful commentators on the international game.

MORE: When does Australia play its next Test match? Opponents, dates, venues for upcoming 2026 Test schedule

"Cricket has a reputation of being conservative," he wrote.

"But it's equally important not to be a neophile: not every change has merit. Playing a domestic competition at home should be sacrosanct.

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"The local audience was not at the forefront of anyone's mind when Cricket Australia announced recently that the opening game of the next Big Bash League will be played in Chennai."

The 58-year-old had even stronger views about playing Ashes contests outside of Australia and England.

"Other than a celebratory one-off match, such as in Melbourne next March (150th Anniversary Test) or possibly a World Test Championship - if England ever get their act together in that competition - England versus Australia is for the Ashes," he wrote.

"It is to be played over five Tests every two years, and every four years on each other's soil.

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"Everybody else is welcome to watch but it is a rivalry that needs no further commercialising."

Atherton wasn't done, suggesting Cricket Australia's willingness to even consider such an idea should set off alarm bells for cricket fans everywhere.

"The (Ashes) rivalry doesn't need diluting with spurious one-off matches in India, there are so many parts of the game that need attention, but this is not one of them. Leave well alone," he said.

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