Sydney, Feb 2: Meg Lanning, the former Australia captain and winner of multiple World Cups in white-ball cricket, has called for more Test matches in international women’s cricket. Her comments come ahead of Australia set to play their first-ever Test match against South Africa at the WACA in Perth in mid-February.
In recent times, Australia, South Africa, England and India have played women’s Test matches, while New Zealand, West Indies and Pakistan haven’t participated in the longer format since 2004. The Test against South Africa is Australia’s third game in the longer format in the last 12 months, but Meg wants to see more Tests in women’s cricket.
“I actually like the multi-format series. Test matches are interesting. I think personally we need to play more of them to be able to play them well and get used to them. I think it’s difficult to prepare for a Test match. In my career, we were playing once every two years. It takes us two days to work out how to play it and then the Test is over.”
“I think if you really want the games to be a good contest, the more matches you (need to) play and for players to understand their game a little bit more. I think we probably need to play more if that’s the case. I understand it’s difficult (for fixtures to be scheduled),” said Meg to reporters.
The right-handed batter played just six Tests among her 241 appearances for Australia, before announcing a shock retirement from the international game last year. The careers of Meg and former team-mate Rachael Haynes, along with their on-field achievements, leadership and impact on the women’s game will be celebrated during Saturday’s ODI series opener between Australia and South Africa in Adelaide via a celebratory lap.