That's just not cricket Aya, but it might well be rugby.
Lords tests always sell out for the first 2-3 days so I am not sure it is relevant in this instance.
One of the bigger subjects of discontent with the ECB revolves around test grounds. Lords and the Oval get one every year but the rest are 'shared' amongst the test venues, originally 6, Heavenly, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Lords and the Oval so one missed out every 5 test series year on a rota basis.
The ECB then had Durham, Hampshire & Glamorgan also create test fit grounds , at great expense, and then has all venues bidding for tests but, if they decide your ground's not fit then you don't get considered so Yorkshire are having to spend £20m ( I can't remember exact figure) to knock down and rebuild the stand dividing the rugby/cricket ground just to be able to bid for tests.It's being done by private investment who will, effectively, lease it back to Yorks i.e basically pay rent for it ( sound familiar).
Durham, after going to great expense were RELEGATED due to breaking the equivaleny of Fair Play rules as they tried to build a team to fill the ground!
The last test was a bit of a bonus for Yorks because of the 5 days but sometimes bidding for a test v eg Sri Lanka scheduled for early May say is just not going to cover the cost.
And, after all that, your cynical idea is just too clever for the ECB to think up!