No Tests on the calendar for Australia despite unforgettable Ashes contest

The only negative coming from the last-gasp draw between Australia and England in Canberra is the lack of Test matches on the calendar.

There’s no more Tests on the women’s calendar. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The Australia women’s team could be facing a four-year wait for another Test on home soil despite Sunday’s thrilling Ashes duel that fuelled ongoing demand for more long-form cricket.

Australia has played two Tests this summer, against India last October and then England in Canberra last week, with that match decided on the very last ball after an epic final day.

Players want to play more Test cricket and Australian coach Matthew Mott declared matches as part of a multi-format series, as both were in Australia, should be more prevalent.

But there are no Test matches scheduled for any country on current women’s fixtures and Australia’s next chance of a home Test could be when India or England next return, which could be as late as 2025-26.

Test cricket…we need more of it! Any opportunity to represent @AusWomenCricket is special but wearing the Baggy Green is next level. I’m still trying to process what happened yesterday 🤯 #Ashespic.twitter.com/e4E1KXqGlK

— Jessica Jonassen (@JJonassen21) January 31, 2022

There will be an away Test before then in the 2023 Ashes in England but the ICC has not released a future tours program for females.

“It was a great advertisement for the women’s cricket and particularly Test match cricket,” Mott said after Sunday’s match ended in a draw.

“I still think that the Test matches are really good in this (multi-format) context, around the top teams playing it.

The Australian team fielding for the last ball in Canberra. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“(At the moment) I think that that will only come to the fore when we’re playing India and England every couple of years.

“And then obviously South Africa and New Zealand (are options for a multi-format series, depending on) whether they have an appetite for it as well.”

Players are behind it too.

“Test cricket…we need more of it,” Australian spinner Jess Jonassen posted on Twitter.

“Any opportunity to represent Australian women’s cricket is special but wearing the Baggy Green is next level.”

Pakistan and West Indies are the next teams due to tour Australia after last doing so in 2014-15. Neither has played a Test since 2004 and it’s unlikely one would be included in the schedule.

Australian captain Meg Lanning and Australian coach Matthew Mott would love to see more Test cricket for women. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Both Tests in Australia this summer, played over four days not five, ended in draws, cruelled by rain, with almost a whole day lost in Canberra.

But while there was no result, the cricket was compelling against England, with a massive 457 runs scored and 14 wickets falling as the match was decided on the final ball.

“It was a pretty amazing game in the end, I’m still not quite sure what to make of it,” Australian captain Meg Lanning said.

Australia and England will now close out the series with three one-day games starting on Thursday.