Cricket Australia boss backs Alyssa Healy’s push for more Tests

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley has responded to captain Alyssa Healy’s call for more women’s Test matches.

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley says a women’s three-match Test series could be on the horizon in response to captain Alyssa Healy’s call for more red-ball cricket.

Hockley suggested a future home series against England or India could be expanded to include three Tests as he said he would continue to advocate for five-day games to be part of multi-format series.

New Australian captain Healy said last week one-off Test matches were “hard to take” due to the time it takes to adapt to conditions.

Healy’s world-conquering side was soundly beaten by India in the only Test at Wankhede, with a 50-over red-ball game the only preparation available to the Australians ahead of a tour that will also feature three ODI and T20 games.

Alyssa Healy said before Australia’s loss to India that overseas Test defeats were difficult to swallow when visiting sides were given no time to adjust over the course of a longer series. Picture: Pankaj Nangia / Getty Images

“It’s really hard to take … you can throw (a loss) away and go ‘it was really hard, the conditions were really difficult’,” Healy said.

“I’d like to see more (Tests played) … I think the reality of that is it won’t happen, but if more and more nations around the world are interested in playing the multi-format series I think it’s a great way to get Test cricket back relevant in our game.”

Asked if he supported Healy’s push for more Tests, Hockley told SEN’s Whateley program the expansion of the longer format was part of his long-term vision.

“I’ve been a strong advocate for multi-format series, I’m delighted now that we’ve got three in quick succession with South Africa later in the season – we’ll be playing a Test match at the WACA Ground and obviously the return Ashes next Australian summer,” he said.

Australia fought back against India in Mumbai after they were rolled for 219 in the first innings but eventually succumbed to an eight-wicket defeat. Picture: Pankaj Nangia / Getty Images

“I’m absolutely an advocate for playing more Test cricket. I feel that as part of a multi-format series it gives great context to that. It was great watching the Test match in India, a real contest. You could see how it tested both sides, compelling viewing and I think probably some of the listeners’ comments are as they got into the match they got more into every session, probably (left) thinking there was a bit of unfinished business.”

The CA boss said he thought Test cricket could be as much the pinnacle of the women’s game as it was in the men’s.

“We’ll keep advocating for more Test cricket as part of multi-format (series), and then maybe that’s something in the future, we can think about a key marquee series going to three Tests because as with the men’s – I saw Mitch Starc’s comments recently – I think Test (cricket) is the pinnacle,” he said.

Originally published as Cricket Australia boss backs Alyssa Healy’s push for more Tests