By Martin Gough

BBC Sport looks at the issues surrounding the England team's packed schedule for the 2004 season.

What is the problem?

The England and Wales Cricket Board has just announced a packed schedule for 2004.

There is no other professional sport you would play 10 days out of 12 Wayne Morton Former England physio

Michael Vaughan's side are set to play more cricket than ever before, with three Tests against New Zealand and four against West Indies.

There are also seven matches (if they reach the final) in the one-day NatWest Series and a three-match NatWest Challenge series.

The 2003 schedule was similar but next year's has to be packed into a shorter space of time because England will host the ICC Champions Trophy - a 12-team one-day tournament - in September.

For the first time, three pairs of Tests will be played back-to-back, with just two days' break in between.

What is wrong with back-to-back Tests?

Former England physio Wayne Morton describes them as "the next big problem for world cricket".

ENGLAND IN 2004 Tests v New Zealand 20-24 May 1st Test, Lord's 3-7 June 2nd Test, Headingley 10-14 June 3rd Test, Trent Bridge NatWest Series (Eng, NZ, WI) 24 June - 10 July Tests v West Indies 22-26 July 1st Test, Lord's 29 July - 2 Aug 2nd Test, Edgbaston 12-16 Aug 3rd Test, Old Trafford 19-23 Aug 4th Test, The Oval NatWest Challenge (v India) 1 Sept, 3 Sept, 5 Sept ICC Champions Trophy 8 - 25 Sept

"There is no other professional sport you would play 10 days out of 12," he says.

"You could pick up a niggle on day two and be playing for the next eight days.

"The physical tiring is difficult to imagine but there is also the mental aspect - having to be at the height of your game throughout."

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) argues that centrally-contracted players can be withdrawn from county cricket to help recovery.

"Nobody is denying back-to-back Tests are hard," says ECB spokesman Andrew Walpole.

"Overall we're trying to ensure players are given a proper programme in rest periods to prepare them."

Why are there so many Test matches?

The International Cricket Council (ICC) touring programme requires England to play each Test nation at home and away every five years.

But the minimum requirement for a series is just two Tests.

It is television and sponsorship contracts that tie England to seven Tests during each domestic season.

"We're very mindful of the stresses and strains," adds Walpole.

"We're committed to the programme put in place by the ICC."

Is there any way to make back-to-back Tests easier?

England's tour of Sri Lanka in December features three consecutive Tests but with three days off between each.

However, England have rarely wavered from their traditional Thursday start to home Tests, and if they did it would make the whole picture even more confusing.

Why bother with three one-day series in the same summer?

The ECB is contractually obliged to hold the annual NatWest Series and the NatWest Challenge, which began this season with three matches against Pakistan.

There could be a happy medium made with sponsors and television to allow everything to fit in ICC match referee Clive Lloyd Read more

The NatWest Challenge was added to the fixture list at the request of England coach Duncan Fletcher, who wanted the side to play more one-day cricket.

And the ECB believes it will act as a warm-up for England ahead of the Champions Trophy.

The ICC requires that any Test series is accompanied by at least three one-day internationals.

"Many countries choose to exceed this minimum requirement for sound historical, cricketing and commercial reasons," said ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed in a statement.

"And this is a decision that each country makes for its own strategic purposes."

All three matches against Pakistan were sell-outs, and with Australia one possible opponent next year there is a powerful financial motivation to keep the series.

Shouldn't the ICC Champions Trophy be held when the weather is likely to be better?

The Champions Trophy will feature 15 games but there is only a guarantee that England will appear in two of them, although that would double if they reached the final.

Broadcasters Sky are keen to have the NatWest Series - in which England will play a minimum six games - in mid-summer, away from the domestic football season.

As the ICC owns the broadcast rights to the Champions Trophy, the NatWest Series and NatWest Challenge are likely to be far more profitable for the ECB.

"The ICC knockout tournament is traditionally held at that time of year," the ECB spokesman adds.

"It fits in with the touring plans of several other countries and would involve a major tear-up to change."

What do the players think of the hectic summer ahead?

The ECB schedule-makers consulted with England management but not the players before finalising their plans.

The Professional Cricketers Association is reserving comment until it has canvassed wider opinion.

But Vaughan voiced his displeasure this year at a schedule that included two pairs of back-to-back Tests against South Africa.

And next summer it will only be tougher.