Cricket reader Q&A: ask Ali Martin your questions ahead of England v Pakistan – live

England’s men start their post-Bazball future next week with a three-Test series against Pakistan. Cricket correspondent Ali Martin is online now to answer your questions about this new era for the team – and anything else you’d like to discuss

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MediumOne asks: Is six Tests in the English summer (down from 7 pre-2019) set in stone nowadays do you think? With the Hundred now taking up a month, it feels as though there’s never been less interest in bilateral T20s, so perhaps an opportunity to reduce these down a bit - and do 3-4 T20s even make more money than a Test, unless they’re against India?

Ali:

It is certainly set in stone in terms of the current broadcast deal, which runs to the end of 2028 (obviously the WTC final tops this up to seven every couple of years, plus the all-too-few women’s Test matches). As for the value of each format/competition, the all-in nature of the TV deal means this is all slightly opaque. What I do know is that when the world stopped in 2020, it was Test cricket that all parties were most desperate to stage and we were told each match was worth £20m in TV money (a figure which rises significantly with crowds, corporate, sponsorship etc). Outside of World Cups, you do see interest waning in white-ball bilaterals a touch. I hope the next deal is split, so we can get a stronger sense of the breakdown. Right now I suspect Test cricket- the format most people pay their Sky subs to watch – is subsidising The Hundred…

Thanks! As for Brook, I am currently writing something about Brook ahead of the Pakistan series and, in short, I truly believe he can go on to become an all-time great. His hand-eye ability is on a par with Steve Smith or AB de Villiers - that rare ability to almost see the matrix others can’t.

I think ‘brainless’ is harsh. For one, he was a willing and loyal conscript to Brendon McCullum’s attacking approach and many of his innings/dismissals to date reflect this. He may also be a victim of his own ability, possessing a 360-degree range of shots but still learning when and where to bring them out.