The Future of International Cricket: Twenty20s, Tests and/or ODIs?

England spinner, Graeme Swann, says we shouldn't be playing one day internationals, i.e. the 50 over games. 

Australian fast bowler, Ryan Harris, says having a two-test series is a joke. 

There has been so much debate among players, fans and those in the national governing bodies of cricket about which formats of cricket should be played more, which formats should be played less or even relegated to history.

Cricket is so unusual from other global sports in that it has several formats to follow. Yes, rugby union has its sevens version but sevens rugby is very much the appetizer to the main meal. Golf does have its matchplay format but that's really only played occasionally.

Thus, with every series, it is a challenge to organize a series to cover all formats adequately. For cricket fans, it may be either terrific having so many formats to follow, or the fact that we go from 20 to 50 overs to 5-day cricket gets wearisome.

At the same time, cricket needs to weigh up each format on profibility along with tradition. Test cricket is probably the main reason why cricketers play cricket as it is the ultimate test of their skills, batting, bowling or fielding.

Even apparent Twenty20 specialist, David Warner, is working to get into the Australian test side. The fact is Twenty20 cricket may be fun and very profitable but it's over too quickly and games are played too often to be remembered for ages.

In my opinion, here's how I think every series should be scheduled:

5 Twenty20s
3 ODIs
3 Tests (5 for the Ashes)

The 50-over format of the game will probably still be around for years to come but should be reduced to 3 series so that each game is more meaningful.

As for test cricket, the ICC should have a look at golf and how they've made the game exciting to follow even though it is as long as test cricket and like test cricket, goes through plenty of periods where not much happens on the field.

Maybe test cricket could be marketed as the upmarket version of cricket and get involved sponsors of luxury end brands like Jaguar, Aston Martin, Rolex who sponsor many of the golf majors and yachting regattas. After all, isn't it sponsorship that is the problem with test cricket at the moment?