Lanning’s surprise call in Test debate

Australian captain wants revamp to domestic calendar has a surprise solution to help develop women’s Test cricket.

Four day Tests, better wickets and less Big Bash. Meg Lanning’s blueprint for the women’s game Picture: Getty Images

On the eve of the ODI phase of the Ashes series, Australian captain Meg Lanning has thrown her support behind four-day Test cricket but wants a revamp of the domestic calendar including a shorter Big Bash League.

After the thrilling draw between England and Australia at Manuka Oval last Sunday, dubbed by some the greatest women’s Test, debate has centred on whether women should play five days like their male counterparts.

Lanning on Wednesday said that such a move was not necessary provided there are “good wickets”. But added that a fifth day should be provided in rain-shortened matches.

“The last two Test matches that I played in weather played a big role, so I think four days is enough. If we don‘t get rain,” Lanning said.

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“Which has proven to be difficult over the last few Test matches, there certainly would have been a result in the Indian Test match and there would have been one here (at Manuka).”

She added she thinks that four days “promotes good scoring rates”.

“We‘ve seen in this Test match, a lot of these players in the sides have played a few Test matches now, you start to get the hang of it and understand the format a bit more, the more you play the better you get, and I think four days is enough, whether you get to a point with the weather and if you lose a certain amount of time – can trigger a fifth day?

“If we can stay with the four- day Test matches I think there will be a result as long as we are playing on good wickets and I think the wicket here was a good Test match wicket, there‘s enough in it for batters and bowlers. If we can get the wickets right, then I think the four-day Test is right. “

England skipper Heather Knight believes there should be a flexibility in nations to choose between a four or five-day match – as she believes it could help more nations take to the Test arena.

“Boards should have the choice to decide … if you want to play five days in an Ashes Test match, where the result is a little bit more important then definitely,” Knight said.

“But if countries want to play Test cricket and the only option is four (days) then absolutely, that should be the case. What this Test match shows is if you get the right wicket it makes such a big difference.”

Australia are one win away from retaining the Ashes, The one-day series component of the series starts in Canberra on Thursday before heading to Melbourne for games on Sunday and Tuesday.

Lanning also raised the prospect of the women’s Big Bash being shortened and that more attention be placed on expanding the Women‘s National Cricket League – Australia’s national women’s domestic 50-over competition.

“I do think that the Big Bash could potentially be a touch shorter,” Lanning said. “I think it would create a really good quality competition. You‘d probably be able to access the better players a little bit more.

“We want the WBBL to be the premium product and really, really high quality. I think if perhaps it was a touch shorter with perhaps 10 games (instead of 14), I think that’s something that I think would be really effective and allow the best international players to come and be involved.”

She added if the WBBL was retracted, she would like to see the WNCL expanded from eight to 12 games – where every team would get the opportunity to play each other twice.

“It‘s the pathway, it’s the breeding ground, for the young cricketers to be able to go out there and play and learn that craft … that’s something that as players, we think it’s important.”

Aussie quick Megan Schutt is set to make her return to the side after being left out of the XI for the Test at Manuka Oval.