Cricket News: Dwindling attendances, overlapping schedules: ODI cricket in real danger

However, the skipper, Jos Buttler was more concerned about the game's future – and keeping bilateral cricket relevant. 

"The cricket landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years, and we're in a different time."

"Lots of people are talking about how you keep bilateral cricket relevant and I think this series is a good example of how probably not to do it."

It's not a new line to be heard, and it is consistent with how England played the series – they seemed like they would rather be anywhere else most of the time. 

And even fans didn't care – only about 15,000 fans on average were turning up to watch the games between these two sides. 

Burnout from the ever-continuing nature of the game is impacting not just players but fans too. And the format that is most in danger through this is ODI cricket. 

Tests remain the pinnacle for purists of the game. T20s is the shot of adrenaline that attracts new fans. So the format that suffers the most is ODI cricket. 

And, to ensure all formats are played and make some more of that precious broadcasting dollars, cricket boards are now scheduling overlapping series. And that is a significant problem, too, according to Jos Buttler. 

"I think one of the biggest things is having overlapping series. We've got a group of players preparing for a Test series that shortly starts in Pakistan, and we've got a team playing here simultaneously. In the new year, a Test match [in New Zealand] finishes one day, and an ODI series starts the next day in Bangladesh."

"I feel a bit for the players, the ones who are young and coming into the game now. You want to play all formats, and I don't think the schedule gives you that chance at the minute."

But it isn't just players who are getting turned off from ODI cricket – fans are feeling the same way too, and it's not uncommon to see fans tune out of games. 

That's an issue for the legacy of the sport, mainly because the original World Cup remains that of ODI cricket. But is there a solution? Well, there is, according to Jos Buttler. 

"To take care of it, find a way to keep it all relevant. The ICC tournaments should be more spread out: it gives you a little bit more time to prepare and makes them probably a bit more special when they do come around."

It's a valid point. But whether it is a point heeded by the game's custodians, who are hell-bent on squeezing every last bit of broadcast revenue from the sport, remains to be seen.