Australia coach Shelley Nitschke endorses multi-format Ashes series

Australia coach Shelley Nitschke has backed in the highly-debated multi-f0rmat Ashes series after her side claimed a famous clean sweep.

Australia coach Shelley Nitschke has endorsed the multi-format Ashes series, saying it is “quite fitting” for the state of the women’s game.

The quality of the series, which Australia secured a famous 16-0 whitewash, sparked debate about whether there should be more Test matches.

The Ashes consists of three One-Day Internationals, three Twenty20s and one Test match.

Nitschke backed the current format and said the game itself would pave the way for how future series would structure.

“I do think the multi-format series is a really good one and that’s come about over the course of time and how the game’s changed,” she said.

“We used to play three Tests, then two Tests and then one Test and there was the introduction of T20 cricket and what’s that’s done for the game has been massive.

“I think the way it’s evolved into a multi-format series is quite fitting.

“As the game continues to evolve and change and shift, and we see more Tests being played, maybe it’ll swing back the other way.

“But at the moment I think it’s where it needs to be, whether or not that stays in the future, I think that the game will tell us that.”

Shelley Nitschke (R) likes how the Ashes includes Twenty20s and says the game will “tell us” when it needs change. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

A record crowd attended the MCG Test match to watch the Aussies complete its scintillating summer.

The Melbourne public broke the previous record Test attendance of 23,207 in two days and would have doubled it had England survived until day four.

Nitschke said there was still room for the game to grow but was pleased by the record numbers flowing through the turnstiles.

“That’s been really pleasing to see, there’s been a lot of hype around the Ashes and in particular the Test at the MCG,” she said.

“We’ve returned to some stadiums we haven’t played at in a while which is really pleasing for us as a team.

“Whilst I think there’s still some room to grow in the people that are coming out to watch the games, there was definitely a shift in this series seeing some record numbers at the ground.

“There’s definitely been a shift there, which is pleasing, and hopefully it continues to increase.”

Australia's Annabel Sutherland (L) and Alana King (R) celebrate the final wicket on the third day of the Ashes Test match at the MCG. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

England captain Heather Knight repeatedly alluded to Australia’s ability to win the big moments in games as a major difference in the series.

Australia captain Alyssa Healy shared the same thought, labelling the come-from-behind victory in the second ODI at Junction Oval as her turning point in the series.

Nitschke believes the depth and host of contributors is why her side is able to pounce on those opportunities in games.

“It’s hard to say, we’ve had so many contributors across the series and I think that’s been a part of it,” she said.

“I think that belief and that trust in our game plan and in our depth that if it’s not someone’s day it’ll be someone else’s.

“I guess really honing in on those standards and making sure we’re setting really high standards in everything we do.

“I think sometimes things just comes together like that so just having that belief and trust in our depth plays a bit part in it I think.”

Alana King won player of the series for her record-equalling 23 wickets.