Australia vs West Indies: Cricket should make Frank Worrell Trophy series a multi-format event | Robert Craddock

Cricket should copy a format used in the women’s game and make the Frank Worrell Trophy series a multi-format event to keep the West Indies alive, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

Cricket should copy a format used in the women’s game to keep the West Indies alive and kicking as an international force.

The iconic Sir Frank Worrell Trophy, once contested with a verve that rivalled the Ashes, has been retained by Australia in just over two days in the two Test series.

The famous trophy was barely mentioned at the Adelaide Oval on Friday so routine was its retention.

It is doubtful there is a solitary cricket fan on the planet who thinks the West Indies will ever beat Australia in another Test series.

Don’t be fooled by the occasional sprinkling of stardust provided by outstanding West Indian debutant Shamar Joseph.

Their whole system is trending away from the five day game. This is not a cycle.

Cricket should make the Frank Worrell Trophy series a multi-format event to keep the West Indies alive and kicking as an international force, writes Robert Craddock. Picture: Getty Images

When the Australian women played for the Ashes, the trophy is decided by a multi-format points system where Tests, T20s and 50 over games played on the same tour all get points towards the trophy.

It’s never been that way in the men’s game but cricket is a changing beast.

When the Frank Worrell Trophy was first awarded in 1961 there was no white ball cricket. The first game of international 50 over cricket was still a decade away.

The West Indies and Australia play in three 50 over and 20 overs games after the Brisbane Test next week which basically mean nothing.

Imagine if they counted for points. It might not bring the Worrell Trophy back to the Caribbean but it would, at the very least, give the West Indies a puncher’s chance in the T20 and 50 over games which they are best at.

Not only would it keep the relevance of Test cricket but it would suddenly give meaning to white ball games which have little context.

Former Australian women’s captain Lisa Sthalekar has spoken out in support of such a concept and it is cause worth pushing.

The West Indies has not stopped producing promising players. It’s just there is nothing in their homelands that prepares them to hang on to the rhythms of a five day game.

Against three tall, probing Australian quicks with more than 250 Test wickets each, they simply had no chance in Adelaide.

The Women’s game has evolved but its never been this way in the men’s game … but cricket is a changing beast, writes Robert Craddock. Picture: Getty Images

Thousands of South Australian fans from all areas of the state were disappointed that the shortest Test seen at the Adelaide Oval could not even make the weekend.

There was a feeling the Adelaide deck may have been a touch too spicy but the four Australian Test venue curators have done a fine job this season to provide bowler friendly decks.

There were times in all four Tests when Australia has been on the back foot and severely tested with simple, accurate, patient seam bowling by the opposition making their top order look fragile.

Mitchell Marsh is the only current Australian player averaging over 40 this summer which will give India hope they can defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy next season.

Australia are good but they are not invincible. Next summer could be one of the best contests seen on these shores in many years.